A first-half Kayla Rollins brace helped propel UWM women’s soccer to their third straight win on Thursday under the lights of Engelmann Stadium against Robert Morris, reclaiming first place in the Horizon League.
The Panthers improved to 7-6-2 on the season and 6-0-1 in conference play. Robert Morris fell to 4-5-5 on their campaign and 3-2-2 in the Horizon League. The Panthers now sit two points ahead of Detroit Mercy in first place.
Milwaukee’s stalwart defense was again on display with another clean sheet. Milwaukee has only given up one goal in conference play this year, scored by Detroit Mercy.
The Panthers opened the gate firing with many early chances towards the Robert Morris net.
In the 14th minute, Kayla Rollins broke through. After a layoff from Ellie Rebmann, Rollins drove at the Robert Morris goal, then fired from outside the box. Her shot found the back netting after it looped over Colonials’ keeper Brenna Murray.
“I’ve been noticing for a couple weeks now that our confidence has been building,” said head coach Kevin Boyd. “And confidence is I think three parts. I think it’s preparation, repetition and then an inner belief.”
After more one-way traffic, Rollins would find her brace off a counterattack in the 31st minute with a clinical finish into the far corner of the net. Molly O’Regan and Lainey Higgins assisted the goal. Rollins now leads the team with nine goals on the season.
Defender Sophia Anuat talked about how dangerous the team is when they can connect with Higgins and Rollins.
“I feel like when we all connect as a whole and we’re able to find them we are really dangerous.” Said Anuat.
The Panthers headed into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Milwaukee continued the relentless pressure coming out of the break.
Molly O’Regan scored the final Milwaukee goal in the 80th minute. A Rebmann cross from the right wing found Elizabeth Reece, who headed the ball into the path of O’Regan, who laid the finishing touch.
The Milwaukee clean sheet was almost broken when Robert Morris had a golden look two minutes after the O’Regan goal. A cross down the left side found its way to a Colonial player who slotted the ball on goal, but keeper Parker Donahugh made a vital diving save to keep it out.
The Panthers dominated the shots department with a 26-7 advantage. The game only had six corners in total, with the Panthers owning two.
“I was looking at the corners, wow we only had two corners,” said Boyd. “But in reality, it’s because we’re getting all the balls across the face of the goal, which is a good thing.”
The Panthers’ next match will take them to Indianapolis to face the IU-Indianapolis Jaguars. That game is scheduled to take place at noon on Sunday, Oct. 20.