MILWAUKEE (Oct. 21, 2015) - Sophomore Anna Smalley netted an early goal and the defense of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team recorded its fourth consecutive shutout in claiming a 1-0 victory over Valparaiso University Wednesday evening at Engelmann Stadium.
 
The Panthers (10-3-2, 7-0-0 Horizon League) made a statement with the victory over the Crusaders (6-6-3, 3-3-1 Horizon League), clinching at least a share of their 15^th Horizon League regular-season title in the last 16 years.
 
"It was a grind. I think the biggest thing was that we got the goal early," Milwaukee head coach Troy Fabiano said. "Valparaiso really turned it up in the second and really, it was a tale of two halves. We are excited. We control our own destiny and that is the biggest thing. We told the girls, let's take it game by game, but we are excited to be in the position we are at."
 
The squad will have two games remaining to clinch it outright, as a draw or win against either Northern Kentucky or UIC will give Milwaukee the title and No. 1 seed by itself. Valpo was the defending champion from last season.
 
Junior Paige Lincicum continues to do an impressive job, recording her fifth shutout of the season and fourth clean sheet in a row, making four saves to extend her scoreless streak to 415:10 on the year.
 
The victory extends the team's winning streak to six in a row, the longest since a nine-game run in 2011. The fourth straight shutout is the also best scoreless streak since a run of five shutouts in a row in October of 2008.
 
Smalley set the tone very early, with senior Kelsey Holbert and junior Maria Stephans credited with assists on Smalley's seventh goal of the season and league-high fifth game-winner.
 
"Obviously, we always want to come out and have a fast start," Fabiano said. "We have been very fortunate to do so the past couple of games. I give a lot of credit to our kids. Maria played a great ball to Smalley and she finished it. To get that fast start the confidence grows and grows, but it was a long game and we had to keep grinding away."
 
Holbert won a ball at midfield and passed to Stephans beyond the midfield line. She sent a long ball over the top of the back line, with a streaking Smalley punching it in at the 1:44 mark to give the Panthers just the start they were looking for on the night.
 
The defense did the rest, especially after halftime when Valpo picked up the pressure looking for the equalizer.
 
Milwaukee came out pressuring out of the gates. It tallied the first five shots of the night over the first 10-plus and nearly had a second goal on a few occasions.
 
"We have to find a way to get that second goal because, eventually, that is going to come back to haunt us," Fabiano said. "We have to find a way to put those away."
 
Stephans was at it again, feeding sophomore Sydney Senn on a long ball in the 11^th minute. Senn had two cracks at it, but back-to-back impressive saves kept the ball out of the net. Stephans also set up sophomore Jen Eberhardy in the 23^rd minute, only to see another quality stop at the post keep it 1-0.
 
Smalley had a look at an insurance goal just after halftime, but her attempt from the right wing after creating space went clanging off the post in the 48^th minute.
 
Valpo upped the pressure in the second half, flip-flopping the shot count from 7-4 in UWM's favor in the first half to 7-4 the other way after intermission. Lincicum was at her best late, making a nice save on a breakaway in the 85^th minute and then pushing away a close-range shot in the box in the 86^th to keep UWM's league-best seventh shutout of the season intact.
 
For the game, the shots were even at 11-to-11, with Milwaukee the 5-4 edge in shots on goal. Valpo earned six of the nine corner kicks, with UWM whistled for 12 of the 22 fouls. Smalley and Eberhardy paced the offense with three shots each. Senn had two, both on target.
 
Up next, Milwaukee remains at home for "Senior Night" Saturday, welcoming second-place Northern Kentucky to Engelmann Stadium for a 7 p.m. start. As stated, a win or a draw will clinch the No. 1 seed for the Panthers and earn them hosting rights for the Horizon League Tournament.

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