MILWAUKEE - The Panther offense was in full gear Saturday night as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team recorded a 2-1 win over Detroit at a rain-soaked Engelmann Stadium Saturday evening.

Kelly Lewers scored less than 15 minutes into the game and UWM (4-7-1, 2-0-0 Horizon) pounded out 16 shots, 11 of which were on goal in an offensive attack against visiting Detroit (5-6-1, 0-2-0 HL).

"The team is really starting to find their rhythm," Milwaukee head coach Greg Henschel said. "Their combination play is really coming along and they are staying really assertive in those moments we need them to stay assertive. Each week I think we're just going to continue to gain momentum and gain a lot of confidence."

After a slew of shots early in the game, the Panthers were pounding on the door. Lewers finally pushed through for UWM off great feeds from Kelsey Holbert and Morgan LaPlant. Holbert took a pass from LaPlant on the right side and put it right behind the visitor's back line where Lewers calmly shot over the on-coming keeper to open up the scoring.

"The first goal was a fantastic build up, springing Kelly Lewers in behind their defense and her finish was first class," Henschel said. "It was just a great goal all the way around."

It looked as though Lewers had stuck again in the 28th minute after Vienna Behnke also played a well-timed through ball, but keeper Martha Dunbar came high off her line to make a nice save to send the game into the half at 1-0, Milwaukee.

Milwaukee got on the board again early in the second half after the Panthers sent a ball into the box that took a deflection and trickled into the net for an own goal to make it 2-0 in the 56th minute.

Detroit was able to answer back on a blast from Kaitlyn Quarrell that Paige Lincicum got a hand to, but the hard shot found its way into the back of the net to make it 2-1 with just over 60 minutes to play.

From that point on, the weather started to play a factor as heavy rains poured onto the field and blew in all directions from a swirling wind.

Milwaukee kept up the pressure despite the adverse conditions, creating numerous dangerous chances in the second half, including a shot from distance by Caity Bestwina that Dunbar just got a finger on to push it into the crossbar and out for a corner.

"I think the wind impacted the game even more than the rain, but those were two factors that really become difficult to overcome," Henschel said. "It was very windy and the rain was coming in sideways, but I was really proud with the way we finished the match. The last 15-20 minutes of the game we were really possessing in their half and really had them pinned back, so I was really happy with the way the team finished that game under some difficult conditions."

The win is the second in a row for the Panthers, giving them a 2-0 start in the Horizon League to put them tied with Wright State for the league led.

"It's a strong start by our team," Henschel said. "I'm proud of them. It's been a tough early part of the season and we've put a lot of good things into play these last few weeks and I'm proud of them.

Milwaukee held a 16-6 advantage in shots on the game, including 11-2 in shots on goal. Fouls were even at five apiece and Dunbar made nine saves while Lincicum was credited with just one save in addition to stopped numerous chances before a shot was taken.

UWM now returns to the road, heading to Cleveland State next Saturday for a 6 p.m. contest against the Vikings.

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