The UW-Milwaukee women’s soccer team defeated Oakland 1-0 under the lights at Engelmann Stadium on Thursday night, improving to 3-0-0 in Horizon League action and 4-6-1 on the season.
The Panthers set the tempo of the game from the first minute. Their high press on Oakland’s back line caused many problems for the Golden Grizzlies’ build up.
Milwaukee’s best chance in the first half came from a Kayla Rollins’ header off a corner kick that was tipped over the bar by Oakland keeper Julia Zangerl in the ninth minute.
The game went into halftime knotted at 0-0 despite a 9-to-3 shots advantage in Milwaukee’s favor.
The Panthers came out of the break with the same intensity and pressure as the beginning of the game.
After multiple Milwaukee shots, the deadlock was broken by forward Kayla Rollins in the 62nd minute.
Rollins scored from a free kick just outside the top of the penalty box with a pin-point finish in the bottom right corner.
Midfielder Lola Wojcik won the free kick that led to the goal.
“She’s just such a hard-working person,” said forward Kristina Karlof about Rollins. “In practice, in games… she gives her all every time, and we see the results coming out of it.”
After the goal, most of the action came on Oakland’s half of the pitch, with multiple shots coming from Milwaukee midfielder Jenni Andjelic and another shot on goal for Rollins.
After 90 minutes, the Panthers held onto their 1-0 advantage.
In total, the Panthers recorded 20 shots to the Golden Grizzlies’ seven, to go along with a 12-to-0 corner kick advantage for Milwaukee.
Keeper Parker Donahugh made four saves on the night for the Panthers. The Panthers have not surrendered a goal in the past three games to open up the Horizon League schedule.
Head coach Kevin Boyd pointed to the second half of their 1-1 draw with Marquette as the turning point for the defense.
“I would say grit and focus happened in the second half of the Marquette game,” said Boyd. “And that has carried on, since then we have been that same defending unit.”
Despite the recent dominance the Panthers have had in the Horizon League, Karlof made it clear that they don’t let that get to their heads.
“Every team wants to beat us in this league, so winning is not easy,” said Karlof. “Our coach says that every day, so we have to stay on top of our game.”
After a tough start to the Panthers’ 2024 campaign, the success to start the Horizon league has given the team a boost in morale.
“We have a good vibe right now,” said Karlof. “When we start the Horizon League, we get a new motivation to keep it up from the last few years.”
The Panthers have a quick turnaround to their next contest, facing the Detroit Mercy Titans on Sunday afternoon. A two-day recovery timeline raises challenges for the Horizon League leaders.
“That’s one of the biggest parts we have worry about,” said Boyd. “With the high minute players, making sure they really pay attention to their recovery the next couple of days.”
The Titans come to Milwaukee with an identical 4-6-1 record on the season. They currently sit in second place in the Horizon League with a 2-0-1 record.
The first-place Panthers will look to create space at the top of the standings on Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.