MILWAUKEE - Sophomore Anna Smalley scored in the second minute and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team cruised to a 4-0 victory over Youngstown State University with three second-half goals Saturday at Engelmann Stadium.
 
"I was very happy with how we played today," Milwaukee head coach Troy Fabiano said. "We put together a complete game and felt that we were able to execute our game plan effectively. We had four different players score and that just goes to show how well we worked as a team to move the ball around."
 
The Panthers (7-3-2, 4-0-0 Horizon League) – playing today in special "Pink Out" uniforms – used the big second half against the Penguins (5-8-0, 0-4-0 Horizon league) to run their current unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1) as part of a stretch of nine overall where they have lost just once (6-1-2 in that span).
 
"I felt that everyone really stepped up and showed up to play from the first whistle to the last. It is always great to win at home in front of our wonderful fans and being able to get everyone into the game today made the 'Think Pink' game even more special."
 
Smalley gave UWM the quick start, slotting home the early opportunity following a serve into the penalty area from junior Ashley Burkhardt that was redirected in front by sophomore Sydney Senn. Smalley pounced on the ball and buried the chance just 1:45 into the match for her league-leading sixth goal of the season.
 
It stayed that way until after halftime, but the defense was stellar on the day to make that one-goal lead comfortable. The team did not allow a shot of any kind by YSU until the 66^th minute and only gave up two overall on the day.
 
The offense was efficient, turning 12 shots on the day into the four goals. Junior Callie O'Donnell helped open the floodgates in the 54^th minute, finishing a combination of passes from Senn and junior Maria Stephans into her sixth goal of the season as well at the 53:25 mark.
 
Freshman Mariah Downs got in the scoring column at the 69:54 mark, putting home a perfect end line serve from sophomore Maddie Tetzke to make it 3-0.
 
Stephans then closed out the scoring in the 77^th, drilling home a free kick from the right wing to the far post. The shot was partially saved, but not enough to prevent her third goal of the season and make it 4-0.
 
Junior Paige Lincicum did all she needed, making one save on the day for the partial shutout, playing the first 83:23 before being replaced by sophomore Emily Senger late. The diving stop of a well-struck blast in the 72^nd minute preserved the team's fourth shutout of the season.
 
Milwaukee dominated possession on the day, ending the contest with a 12-to-2 advantage in shots while earning five of the seven corner kicks in the game. The offense was balanced once again, as no player had more than two shots in a game where 23 different players saw time on the field.
 
Stephans led the way with a goal and an assist to climb to the top of the conference with six helpers on the season. Senn assisted a pair of goals on the way as well.
 
Up next, the team takes a break from midweek action and will focus on its next game at Cleveland State next Saturday, Oct. 10.

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