MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee women's soccer team increased its unbeaten and shutout streak to six games to start the year with a 3-0 victory over Indiana State behind a goal and two assists from Anna Smalley on Sunday afternoon.
 
After two goals in the first half and another in the second, the Panthers (5-0-1) cruised to victory over the Sycamores (2-3-1) at Engelmann Stadium.
 
"I thought we were able to keep the ball and we settled things down." Milwaukee head coach Troy Fabiano stated after the match. "That was a big thing, keeping possession."
 
The Panthers got on the board early as Smalley weaved through the Sycamore defense from near the corner flag to the middle of box where she beat the keeper in the eighth minute for her second goal of the season.
 
"We needed that from Smalley," Fabiano said of his midfielder. "To see her get a goal and two assists is huge for her."
 
Milwaukee almost added a second goal in the 19th minute when Lourdes Onwuemeka rifled a shot that hit the bottom of the crossbar and was mere inches away from giving the Panthers a quick 2-0 lead.
 
Milwaukee continued to put on the pressure throughout the first half as Mackenzie Schill notched her third score of the year in the 34th minute, putting home a 25-yard serve from Smalley.
 
McKaela Schmelzer added the third and final goal of the match after a shot of the crossbar found its way to her feet where she buried a short shot to make it a three goal game for the Panthers.
 
Mallory Geurts had three saves and continued her record-breaking start to reach six consecutive games and 560 scoreless minutes to start the year.
 
The Panther defense did their part throughout the match as Guerts was only tested a few times. Late in the first half, Milwaukee staved off three corner kicks in a span of 73 seconds while only allowing one blocked shot.
 
The best chance for the Sycamores to get on the scoreboard was in the 53rd minute when a handball was called against the Panthers just outside the penalty. Indiana State was given a free kick only 21 yards away, however it was deflected wide.
 
For the game, the Milwaukee Panthers outshot the Sycamores 23-10, led by a team high of five from Onwuemeka. They also were awarded six corner kicks compared to four for the Sycamores.
 
The Panthers hit the road next Friday, September 8^th, against Northern Illinois. Kickoff against the Huskies is scheduled for 5 p.m.

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