MILWAUKEE - Evan Conway blasted home his fourth goal of the season to send the Milwaukee men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Belmont University Saturday night at Engelmann Stadium.
 
Conway's one-timer off a perfect pass from Jaime Colin helped reward the Panthers (3-4-1, 2-1 Horizon League) with a well-deserved victory against the Bruins (1-7-1, 0-3 Horizon League) in a contest in which they would outshoot the visitors by an overwhelming 20-to-6 total.
 
"Jaime Colin hit an early service and Conway came on and hit a first-time volley – a big-time goal," UWM head coach Kris Kelderman said. "We needed somebody to step up and finish something. We had some chances, we just needed someone to finally put it in the net."
 
A grand total of 13 of those shots came before halftime (13-2 at that point), but none of them would hit paydirt following five mostly-impressive saves by Belmont keeper Mertcan Akar.
 
"I thought it was a very good half," Kelderman said. "We got off to a good start and maintained that possession and tempo throughout the entire half. We had three golden opportunities and their goalkeeper made some outstanding saves – he played a great game all 90 minutes."
 
Milwaukee kept up the pressure following intermission and was rewarded at the 54:10 mark. Matthias Binder carried the ball at midfield, connecting with Colin on the wing. Colin's touch from the right side of the field was perfect, finding Conway at the far post for the one-time bomb that stood up for the difference.
 
Sam Glass responded by helping the Milwaukee defense to its first shutout of the season, making a pair of saves when needed to complete the clean sheet.
 
"Would have been nice to get that second goal and give our guys a little cushion," Kelderman said. "They have been working hard and creating chances, but we just seem to make it difficult for ourselves. We put together a complete game for 90 minutes, our team defense was outstanding. We hung in there the last 10 minutes and got the shutout – it's our first, so a really good sign and pleased with our performance today."
 
UWM nearly had a goal out of the gates, with Moon sending a perfect pass to the goal front for a high-footed volley from Colin. A great leaping save was made and it stayed 0-0. Moon had a pair of chances over the early portion of the first.
 
His header went just wide at the 22:00 mark and had a through ball opportunity when he was sprung by Stephen Andrusko turned away solidly in the 27^th minute. The save of the half came on a Moon pass, setting up Conway for a 1-on-1 chance in the 30^th. Akar came off his line and found a way to stop that one as well.
 
Conway paced the offense with five shots, while Moon and Colin finished with four each. Francesco Saporito tallied three attempts, including a left-footed shot from about 25 yards away that went just over the crossbar in the 78^th minute that would have put the game away.
 
UWM held the 7-to-2 advantage in shots on goal, while each team managed just a pair of corner kicks. Milwaukee also was whistled for 13 of the 21 fouls.
 
Up next, the Panthers continue the homestand by stepping out of league play, welcoming Bradley University Tuesday. Game time against the Braves is set for 7 p.m. from Engelmann Stadium.

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