DeKALB, Ill. - Junior Laurie Bell scored in the 74th minute and the defense recorded its seventh shutout of the season as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team claimed a 1-0 victory over Northern Illinois University Wednesday evening.

"We are happy with the result," Milwaukee head coach Kris Kelderman said. "It was a tough night; the elements played a big part in the game and it was one that could have gone either way. Fortunately for us, Laurie had a great goal. One real opportunity and he finished his chance just like he has been doing all year."

The Panthers (12-2-2) and Huskies (4-11-0) spent the entire contest under less-than-ideal playing conditions, as heavy rains fell throughout the entire evening. With the victory, UWM keeps possession of the LeWang Trophy for the third-consecutive season.

"It was tough to control the ball with the rain coming down the way it did," Kelderman said. "The turf was slippery and I think that it actually slowed the game down. You have to take that extra touch to make sure you have control of the ball. We knew it was going to play a part of it. But, defensively, we have been tough and we have taken a lot of pride in that."

Bell's league-leading 11th goal of the season provided the difference. Freshman Kostas Kotselas won the battle for a 50-50 ball near the top of the 18-yard box and the clearance came straight to Bell. He one-timed it to the right side at the 73:27 mark to break up the scoreless draw.

The defense did the rest, fending off the Huskies, who had a dangerous free kick just outside the box with 40 seconds remaining. Freshman Liam Anderson finished with four saves.

Neither team was able to do much in the first half, with both squads recording three shots. For the Panthers, Bell had a go at it from distance in the 22nd minute and senior James Ashcroft one-timed an endline serve from senior Robbie Boyd in the 27th minute, but both attempts were off the mark.

Junior Luke Goodnetter had the only attempt that needed a save, sending a shot through traffic from about 40 yards out, but the NIU keeper pushed it just wide at the post to give UWM its only corner kick of the first 45 minutes.

Each of the Huskies first-half shots came from a safe distance, with Anderson making a pair of easy saves on the ones that were on frame.

For the game, UWM was outshot for just the third time this season at 9-to-7. NIU also had four of the seven corner kicks and 10 of the 19 fouls.

The Panthers close out the regular season next week Saturday against Cleveland State. Join the team for "Senior Day" against the Vikings, set for a 7 p.m. start under the lights at Engelmann Stadium.

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