MILWAUKEE - Senior Zach Stevenson scored a second-half insurance goal and set up the early game-winner, helping the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Western Illinois University Tuesday night at Engelmann Stadium.
 
The Panthers (4-9-3) scored early on senior Declan Rodriguez's goal in the sixth minute and shut down the Leathernecks (5-10-1) all night, holding the opposition to just seven shots on the evening.
 
"It feels good, we have been waiting for that for a while, unfortunately," Milwaukee head coach Kris Kelderman said. "It's nice because we scored an early goal and we haven't done that in a while either. It was just a solid performance from beginning to finish. I am very proud of the guys; a good effort tonight."
 
Senior Agustin Rey needed just a pair of saves to post his second shutout in a row.
 
The Panthers came out strong, pushing forward early. Rodriguez nearly had one even sooner than he eventually did, volleying a cross from sophomore Kostas Kotselas off the cross bar just two minutes in.
 
It was Rodriguez again just a few minutes later, heading in Stevenson's 22-yard free kick to make it 1-0 at the 5:37 mark.
 
"We got off to a good start, a lot of energy," Kelderman said. "We were able to carry it on throughout the game. It was a different look in the back as well. We had two other guys that played in the back tonight. Alex Young played his first match tonight, played 90 minutes and had an excellent performance. Even had his first assist. Very pleased, not only with the back line and the goal, but with the team defense."
 
The defense came to play, not allowing a shot by WIU until the 22^nd minute and just three – all off target – in the first 45 minutes.
 
Stevenson provided a nice insurance goal in the 72^nd minute, burying an end line serve from freshman Francesco Saporito in front of goal to make it 2-0. Freshman Alex Young provided the chance, sending the long ball that Francesco ran down for his first collegiate point.
 
The forecasted heavy rain showed up late, coming down hard the final 15-20 minutes of the night. Rey made both of his saves after intermission, with both stops coming easily for his third clean sheet of the campaign.
 
For the game, UWM held shot advantages of 13-to-7 overall and 4-to-2 on goal. Milwaukee had three of the five corner kicks and was whistled for 15 of the 25 fouls. Rodriguez led the offense with four shots, Stevenson was second with a trio of chances.
 
"It was a non-conference game and we were going to manage minutes, but at the end of the day, every game we play to win," Kelderman said. "There is no better feeling than going into a must-win situation in your next game with a win under your belt and a good performance."
 
That must-win contest comes Saturday, with the Panthers heading to Michigan to take on Detroit in a key Horizon league matchup. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CST.

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