MILWAUKEE - Reid Stevenson and Nick Moon scored first-half goals and Freddy Lorenzen made six saves in goal to help the Milwaukee men's soccer team claim a 2-0 victory over Marquette Tuesday evening at Engelmann Stadium.
 
"It feels very good," Milwaukee head coach Kris Kelderman said. "This is a big game, for both clubs. A big rivalry every year with a big trophy on the line. But, more importantly, it was a trigger for us – we needed a turning point. We've been playing pretty well and have been very unfortunate. It's easy in that situation to lose some confidence. We had a good game plan coming in, got the guys believing in themselves and they got rewarded for a result they definitely deserved tonight."
 
The Panthers (4-4-2) came into the game against the Golden Eagles (1-6-1) ranked No. 2 in the country at nearly 20 shots per game. On Tuesday, however, it was quality over quantity, turning three first-half shots into a pair of goals to claim the "Milwaukee Cup" traveling trophy in front of a crowd of 1,213.
 
"First things first, we've been giving up some goals the past few games," Kelderman said. "We went back to basics and said we have to be a hard team to play against. The team defense was outstanding today."
 
The win improves their all-time record to 29-11-5 in the annual city rivalry matchup.
 
Stevenson got the Panthers on the board in the 18^th minute, using an impressive sliding finish of a cross from Moon to bury his second of the season and make it 1-0.
 
"To get a lead early in the game, certainly does a little for your enthusiasm and confidence and I think it was just what we needed," Kelderman said.
 
The teams traded punches throughout the first half on defense, with just six shots combined being recorded through the first 45 minutes of action.
 
Moon wasn't done there. Consistent pressure by the UWM forwards kept generating opportunities and the Panthers capitalized again in the 39^th minute.
 
Alex Eastman, who also recorded an assist on the Stevenson goal, took a back pass from about 40 yards out and sent it into the front of the goal. A Marquette defender attempted to head it out, but Moon intercepted, volleying the two-hopper inside the right post to set off the celebration of a 2-0 lead on the night.
 
Stevenson almost had a second goal just past intermission, picking up a turnover in back and firing on goal. He wasn't quite able to make clean contact however, and the ball was saved at the post to keep it at 2-0.
 
From there it was a great team defensive effort to help Milwaukee post its second shutout victory in less than a week.
 
Marquette ended the night with the slim 11-to-9 advantage in shots and also had a whopping 10-to-1 advantage in corner kicks. Lorenzen and the defense kept coming up big, including a run off his line to make a brilliant save in the 88^th minute and preserve the shutout.
 
The Panthers finished with nine shots – its second-lowest of the season – but put seven of them on target. Included in that total was a blast from Francesco Saporito in the 82^nd minute that nearly made it 3-0.
 
Four players tied for the team lead with two shots each, including Moon, who finished with a goal and an assist.
 
Daniel Szczepanek posted a game-high three shots for the visitors.
 
Up next, the Panthers remain at home to host Northern Kentucky. That game will take place Saturday night, starting at 7 p.m. under the lights.

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