VALPARAISO, Ind. - The Milwaukee women's soccer team could not take advantage of Anna Smalley's first-minute goal, as Valparaiso University drew even in the 60^th minute to make it a new game and eventually earned the victory on a 99^th-minute game-winner in overtime.
 
The Panthers (6-4-2, 2-1-0 Horizon League) dominated the first half against the Crusaders (6-6-0, 2-1-0 Horizon League), but settled for just the 1-0 lead at halftime despite a 12-to-2 shot advantage in the period.
 
Smalley's goal came just 44 seconds into the match, knocking home a close-range rebound of a saved 25-yard shot attempt from Jen Eberhardy. The goal will go into the record books as the fourth-fastest to start a game in program history.
 
From there it was all Milwaukee. Valpo had a pair of early shot attempts, but did not even record another over the final 38-plus minutes of the period. UWM kept up the offensive, but only forced three saves out of the next 11 shots.
 
Smalley nearly had a second goal just after halftime, stealing a pass and bursting free past a pair of backline defenders for a chance at a 1-on-1, but her shot sailed high in the 49^th minute.
 
The Crusaders finally cracked the stat sheet for a shot attempt in the 56^th minute, going nearly 50 minutes without one. They took advantage of a free kick situation just minutes later, with a serve to the far post falling to the ground and creating all kinds of trouble. Goalkeeper Mallory Geurts was on the ground attempting to grab it, but the mad scramble in front eventually drew the whistle of the referee to signal the ball had crossed the line.
 
With 59:35 on the clock, it was a new game at 1-1.
 
From there, the Panthers seemed to have trouble producing the same kinds of opportunities needed that they did earlier in the match. The best chance came in the 86^th minute on a free kick by Maria Stephans. The odd-angled attempt from the side of the penalty area drew plenty of attention in front. What possibly appeared to be a goal was waved off following a whistle against the Panthers in front.
 
The teams spent some time getting a new feel for each other in the overtime period. Valparaiso took care of its first real threat, however, with Cory Griffith finishing a terrific top-shelf strike to the far post after a crossover dribble bought her space on the left wing.
 
For the game, UWM finished with advantages of 15-to-10 in shots, but trailed 6-to-5 in shots on target. The Panthers also had four of the seven corner kicks and were whistled for 18 of the 30 fouls.
 
Geurts finished with four saves. Stephans accounted for a game-high four shots on the night. The loss was just the second all-time for Milwaukee in the series, now leading by a count of 16-2-0.
 
Up next, Milwaukee stays on the road, heading to Michigan Saturday for a 12 p.m. CST matchup with the Detroit Titans.

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