MILWAUKEE - Morgan LaPlant scored two goals in a six-minute span and the Panthers fired off 13 shots on the day but the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team fell just short to an undefeated #25 DePaul squad, 3-2, Sunday afternoon at Engelmann Stadium.

UWM (1-5) had numerous chances late in the game to knot things back up, including the closing seconds, but a shot by Kelly Lewers banged off the crossbar just seconds before time expired.

DePaul is now 6-0 on the year and off to its best start in program history.

"We took a step forward from Friday night," Milwaukee head coach Greg Henschel said. "I continue to be encouraged by the steps our team is taking. We're close and we showed that today. To get up 2-0 against (DePaul) is a positive statement.

"We're creating chances right now, and that's evident. We're going to continue to create chances. I'm pleased with our overall performance, it's just some finishing moments on both ends of the field right now that we need to sort out and clean up and just become a little bit tougher."

Milwaukee jumped all over the undefeated Blue Demons right out of the gates.

Controlling the ball from the start of the game, it seemed only a matter of time until the Panthers found the back of the net.

That time came just 12:04 into the contest as Maria Stephans fired a shot that was blocked by the defense but fell right to the feet of LaPlant, who calmly placed the ball near post to give Milwaukee the early lead.

Just five and a half minutes later, it was LaPlant again. This time the play was set up as Krissy Dorre slotted the ball into the box to Kelly Lewers. The defending league player of the year crossed the ball to the opposite side where LaPlant slipped past the DePaul defenders and one-timed her shot for her second goal of the season. 

The Blue Demons were able to answer back, however, as goals by Ana Griek and Alexa Ben knotted the game up at 2-2 heading into the break.

Milwaukee continued to pound the ball at DPU goalkeeper Alejandria Godinez, with shots from all over the field.

In the 71st minute, Dorre turned and drove past her defender only to see her shot go just over the bar.

One minute later, Amy Kauffung blasted a ball from the right wing that found the feet of Lewers inside the box where she was just able to get a touch on the ball but it went just inches wide of the post.

It was Cassidy Blanchard's turn in the 75th minute as the freshman pounded a header that looked like it was going into goal but again went just wide.

With the Panthers pushing hard for the winning goal, DePaul was able to force a turnover and capitalize on a fast break that saw transfer Abby Reed score her sixth goal in just five games with just 14 minutes remaining.

UWM showed no quit, however, continuing to push at the DPU defense.

The final chance came in the final seconds of the game. A great ball from Aubrey Krahn found Lewers in the box. With a defender on her back, the keeper charging and the final seconds ticking on the clock, Lewers fired her shot that just hit the crossbar and caromed away as the horn sounded.

Paige Lincicum made four saves in each half, the second-straight game she has tallied eight saves in a game.

DePaul held a narrow 15-13 edge in shots in the offensive-heavy contest, while corners were even at 4-4. UWM was whistled for nine fouls on the day to the Blue Demon's four.

Milwaukee now heads just across town for its next match, continuing its local derby with Big East foe Marquette. The two teams square off at 7 p.m. at Valley Fields.