UW-Milwaukee grads advance in Women's World Cup
WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- A big upset in the World Cup as the Philippines national team advanced over New Zealand Tuesday, July 25.
Playing for the Philippines are two University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee sisters.
Troy Fabiano's no longer with the UW-Milwaukee women's soccer program, but a highlight while he was here was being able to coach two young ladies who took their soccer career to the highest level.
"We text, we communicated after they qualified, and then I sent another text last night congratulating them about earning three points," said Troy Fabiano, former UWM women's soccer coach.
There've been some late nights, or early mornings, for Troy Fabiano, watching the sisters he coached at UW-Milwaukee now competing in the World Cup.
"It’s just cool to see two players that you were part of, play at the highest level, right," said Fabiano.
Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel had an incredible save for the Philippines in the latest match.
The Philippines snagged a 1-0 win over New Zealand.
It's also amazing for those who were right there with Olivia McDaniel and her sister, Chandler McDaniel, when they were in Milwaukee.
"Both of them, it’s just amazing where their journey has taken, all the hard work paying off," said Steve Golas, former assistant coach for the UWM women's soccer team.
The McDaniels' former coaches recalled how much the sisters added to the UWM team.
"Chandler -- very, very technical player, absolutely can smash a soccer ball, is a lot of fun to be around," said Golas.
"Olivia’s a character, you know, cool kid. She was always one of those dancing at halftime, dancing in between," said Fabiano.
And now, the McDaniel sisters, with the Philippine national team, are dancing their way to the next match.
"Like they could win a group. It’s gonna be a tough row to how it is, but they’ve put themselves in that position and that’s all you can ask," said Golas.
The next game is July 30 -- another late night, or early morning, however you see it.
They'll be taking on Norway.