Milwaukee Panthers: Top five moments of 2015

It was an unpredictable but thrilling year to be a Milwaukee Panther fan in 2015. There were many outstanding moments and accomplishments throughout the year from all 13 different sports and the athletes in those sports.

Here are the top five movements for Panther athletics in 2015, in chronological order:

June 10: Baseball has three players drafted into Major League Baseball

It was a busy day for the Milwaukee Panthers baseball program, with three players being selected in the 2015 MLB Draft.

Pitcher Justin Langley, first baseman/outfielder Sam Koenig and catcher Mitch Ghelfi all heard their names called on the final day of the draft.

Langley was the first selected, being picked in the 16th round by the Miami Marlins. Koenig remained on the board until the 27th round when the Los Angeles Angels snagged him, and Ghelfi was taken by the hometown Milwaukee Brewers in the 28th round.

This marked only the second time in program history that three players were selected in the same draft, with the first time occurring in 2012.

Oct. 24: Women’s soccer wins Horizon League regular season title

After being selected to finish eighth in the preseason conference poll, the Lady Panthers shocked the league, winning their 15th crown in the last 16 seasons, under new head coach Troy Fabiano.

The Panthers clinched the outright title after registering a 0-0 draw against newly added conference member Northern Kentucky.

Milwaukee returned to the top of the conference after a one-year absence in 2014 when they finished eighth and went 6-10-2.

Oct. 31: Holmes wins first-ever women’s cross country title

Leah Holmes was crowned the Horizon League champion in women’s cross country, becoming the first to earn that achievement in Milwaukee program history.

Not only did she earn the championship, but she also was awarded the Horizon League Athlete of the Year award after an exceptional regular season and conference meet.

Holmes became the first-ever individual champion in Milwaukee women’s cross country history since the Panthers moved to Division I in 1990.

Dec. 9: Panthers stun the state of Wisconsin knocking off the Badgers

It had been 23 years since the Milwaukee Panthers beat the Wisconsin Badgers, adding up to 22 straight losses against their instate rival. However, that streak was snapped when the Panthers went into the Kohl Center and claimed a 68-67 victory.

The Panthers threw out the series numbers and played their brand of basketball to beat former Milwaukee coach Bo Ryan and his squad.

It was the biggest win for the program in years and their first victory against the Badgers since Dec. 12, 1992.

This was a result Panther fans were dreaming for and now will remember forever.

Dec. 23: Panthers end 2015 with a statement victory

Milwaukee finished their non-conference schedule off with their second victory against a Big Ten opponent this season, by knocking off Minnesota, 74-65, on the road.

Point guard Jordan Johnson led the Panthers with a near triple-double (19 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds) for the program’s 12th all-time victory against current members of the Big Ten.

Milwaukee now looks like a legitimate Horizon League title contender with the potential to make the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers have jumped out to an impressive start in the 2015-16 season and will look to keep things going when conference play begins right after New Year’s.

Do you agree or disagree with these top five moments of 2015 for the Milwaukee Panthers? Leave your thoughts below.

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