Lewers Nets Winner In Shootout

September 13, 2013

Oxford, Ohio - Kelly Lewers scored with 1:07 left on the clock in regulation to give the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team a thrilling 4-3 victory over Miami University Friday afternoon from Miami Soccer Field.

Lewers collected a pass 25 yards from the goal, dribbled around two defenders and fired a left-footed shot at the 18 that found the side netting to give the Panthers (1-5-1) their first win of the year.

The win is number 299 in head coach Greg Henschel's career.

"It feels good," Henschel said. "The team had to really gut it out today and they did that all through the second half. They showed their resilience as they have shown all season. It was great to see and it was a well-deserved win."

Milwaukee got on the board first midway through the first half. Amy Kauffung played a ball from midfield to Lewers, who one-timed the ball perfectly to a streaking Kelsey Holbert. The junior got behind the defense and calmly beat the on-coming keeper for her first goal of the season.

UWM took a 1-0 lead into half but Miami (3-3-0) came out of the locker room and found two goals early after the break to grab a 2-1 lead.

The Panthers fought back though, drawing the game level in the 75th minute. Sara Stern passed the ball up to Lewers, who again one-timed the ball, this time finding Krissy Dorre. Dorre took one touch and slotted the ball far post for her fourth of the season.

After another goal by the RedHawks, UWM again showed its grit to again draw the game level. Dorre took a pass just outside the top of the box, drawing the defense in. She played the ball out to the right where Morgan LaPlant came on and blasted a shot into the upper 90 to make it 3-3 and set the scene for Lewers to find the game winner.

"It was nice to get the lead and come out of halftime up 1-0 and then to battle back in the second half is not an easy thing to do," Henschel said. "There's a lot of character in this team. Despite it being a young group, the character that's being shown is pretty impressive this year. I'm very encouraged by that."

Milwaukee freshman keeper Paige Lincicum made four saves on the game and notched the first win of her collegiate career.

The Panthers were extremely efficient on the offensive side of the ball, registering nine shots on the game with four finding the back of the net.

"We're feeling good about our offensive potential," Henschel said. "I think we felt good about it early in the season but we're finally gaining some confidence there. This team always has potential to score and we're looking forward to the next match."

UWM plays its fourth-straight game on the road Sunday, heading to Madison, Wis. to take on the Badgers. Kick off is set for 1 p.m. 

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