MILWAUKEE – A pair of early first-half goals helped set the tone for the Milwaukee women's soccer team in a 3-0 victory over Northern Illinois Friday night at Engelmann Stadium in the season opener for both programs.
 
The Panthers (1-0-0) scored goals in the 11^th and 16^th minutes to jumpstart the win against the Huskies (0-1-0), a team they have now beaten nine straight times in the all-time series.
 
"We came out well," head coach Troy Fabiano said. "We wanted to get a quick start. Obviously first game, you compete against each other for so long (in the preseason) it's good to see someone else. I thought we competed well in the first half and adjusted to their system."
 
MKE came out firing, nearly scoring in the first two minutes. Six shots and three corner kicks later, Lourdes Onwuemeka got Milwaukee on the board at the 10:39 mark.
 
"Any time you can get a goal early, especially at home, first game, you get the momentum and then it continued," Fabiano said. "You can just sense the urgency from our forward, just pressing the ball."
 
Chandler McDaniel found Haley Johnson streaking down the right side of the box, sending service to the far post for Onwuemeka. After the one-timer was deflected back to her, she buried her next try to make it 1-0.
 
Less than five minutes later, McKaela Schmelzer picked off a ball in back and led Johnson perfectly with the feed, doubling up the lead at the 15:05 mark with the one-timer. The goal also marked the first time a Panther freshman found the back of the net in her first collegiate game since 2012.
 
Jelena Sever almost made it 3-0 in the 20^th minute, only to see her shot go off the right post and back into play.
 
Not to be outdone, classmate Elaina LaMacchia earned the start in goal, posting a shutout with a three-save effort. That marked the first shutout by a freshman in a season opener since 2009. The win also extends the team's unbeaten streak to 21 (17-0-4) dating back to start of last season.
 
"It's a priority for us," Fabiano said. "I think if you ask any of our players, our front line is where our defense starts, but is has always been a priority for us and always will be."
 
The MKE offense kept its foot on the gas early, eventually settling on a 17-to-4 advantage in shots at halftime.
 
It found another goal as well, this time off its eighth corner kick of the first period. Erin Corrigan sent the ball to the far post, Schmelzer headed an attempt back across the goal mouth and Kelli Swenson was there to punch it in and close out the scoring at the 33:18 mark.
 
Halftime adjustments, including a sub in goal, made a difference for NIU, as the Huskies held Milwaukee scoreless and outshot them, 3-to-2, after intermission.
 
For the game, the Panthers posted advantages of 19-to-7 in shots, 13-to-3 in shots on goal and 9-to-1 in corner kicks. Fouls were 10-to-5 to Milwaukee in a relatively clean affair.
 
Onwuemeka recorded a game-high six shots attempts, five of them on target. Johnson ended the night with a goal and an assist and Schmelzer tallied a pair of helpers.
 
The Panthers will be off for a week before hosting Eastern Illinois next Friday at Engelmann Stadium. Kickoff in the Panther v. Panther battle is set for 7 p.m.
 

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