MILWAUKEE - In a contest that featured three different lead changes, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team came up on the wrong end of a 3-2 decision, falling to Loyola University Chicago Sunday afternoon at Engelmann Stadium.
 
The Panthers (4-3-1) overcame an early goal by the Ramblers (5-3-2) to take a 2-1 lead in the first half, but were unable to maintain that advantage, eventually falling on a goal in the 67^th minute to snap their unbeaten streak at four games (3-0-1).
 
"They responded," UWM head coach Troy Fabiano said. "But I hate to see that we had to give up a goal to respond. We had a sense of urgency, but I think the sense of urgency came too late."
 
The first part of the day the action was fast and furious, featuring a trio of goals scored over the first 12-plus minutes. The three tallies found the back of the net quickly, going from 0-0 on the scoreboard to 2-1 in UWM's favor in just under five minutes of game time.
 
Down a goal when Loyola converted on a corner kick in the eighth minute, junior Callie O'Donnell came through again, settling a nice feed from junior Maria Stephans as she came flying in on the right wing before burying the opportunity at the 9:57 mark.
 
The Panthers were not done there, taking the 2-1 advantage at the 12:16 mark on sophomore Anna Smalley's header. Sophomore Sydney Senn had the ball in the corner and created space, sending a cross essentially from the corner kick spot to the far post, where Smalley finished impressively for her second of the season. That gave UWM the lead and the momentum for the majority of the first half.
 
A defensive miscue allowed the Ramblers to equalize just before intermission, when Katie Grall picked up a loose ball along the backline and snuck one in to the far post at the 42:47 mark.
 
"They were able to get an opportunity for the goal on a corner kick and we just didn't clear it," Fabiano said. "Then we were able to keep possession of the ball for most of the first half and scored two great goals. To give up a second goal three minutes left before halftime on a bad turnover by us took momentum from our side to their side."
 
The Milwaukee defense stepped up in the second half when Loyola created more of the chances over the final 45 minutes. The Ramblers took advantage of one of them in the 67^th minute, netting the eventual winner.
 
"The third goal was again another turnover on our end," Fabiano said. "The girl hit a great shot but we can't be turning the ball over that easy."
 
The Panthers pushed for the equalizer the rest of the way and accumulated three shots, two of which needed saves. The third was also a close call, when senior Kelsey Holbert sent a flying volley off a long serve by freshman Kelli Swenson just wide in the 85^th minute.
 
Another big non-conference game awaits Wednesday, with Milwaukee hosting Marquette at Engelmann Stadium. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

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