ROCHESTER, Mich. - Junior Maria Stephans netted the overtime winner in the 96^th minute to send the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team to an improbable 2-1 comeback victory over Oakland University Friday night at Oakland Soccer Field.
 
The Panthers (4-2-1, 1-0 Horizon League) trailed the Golden Grizzlies (0-5-4, 0-1 Horizon League) until the final minutes, converting a penalty kick at the 86-minute mark to send the game to overtime.
 
"Tonight we came out a bit flat and didn't play at our best for large portions of the game," UWM head coach Troy Fabiano said. "However, I am happy with how the girls battled. After going down a goal, they stuck with it. I think we showed a lot of character tonight, fighting all the way to the end to get the late goal."
 
Stephans also set the stage to make the victory possible, burying the PK chance after freshman Lourdes Onwuemeka was fouled in the box by the OU goalkeeper.
 
"Lolo [Onwuemeka] was fortunate to get behind their line and her effort won us the penalty kick," Fabiano said. "We were able to carry the momentum from that into overtime and Maria was able to capitalize on her second goal."
 
Milwaukee had possession on Oakland's side of midfield just prior. Sophomore Cassidy Blanchard set up the opportunity, sending a long ball over the back line for Onwuemeka to get a 1 v 1 chance. Both players converged on the ball, with the foul by the goalkeeper resulting in a red card and the penalty kick.
 
Stephans then played the hero in overtime, dribbling the ball through traffic on top of the box, sending a left-footed shot on goal that snuck just inside the right post at the 95:16 mark for the win.
 
"It is always nice to get a win on the road and now we will turn our focus to our game Sunday," Fabiano said.
 
 
Sophomore Emily Senger also played a key role, turning in an impressive five-save performance in her first collegiate start in goal.
 
She saved the game just minutes in front of the golden goal in overtime, making a right-place-at-the-right-time stop of a close-range attempt at the 92:55 mark.
 
She came up big in regulation as well. She came off her line to force an early shot by Oakland from the wing in the 64^th, which went off the cross bar. Back on her feet quickly, she then grabbed the proceeding header before it found the back of the net.
 
Milwaukee was outshot, 11-to-6, in the contest, but every opportunity was threatening. In addition to Stephans brace, sophomore Sydney Senn nearly claimed a goal in the 72^nd minute and sophomore Aubrey Krahn also had a crack at it from the wing in the 84^th minute.
 
The victory extended the team's unbeaten streak to four games in a row (3-0-1). Up next, Milwaukee will be right back at it Sunday, playing at home against Loyola starting at 1 p.m.