CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Mallory Geurts posted her third shutout in a row to open the season and Lourdes Onwuemeka netted the lone goal of the night in the 70^th minute to hand the Milwaukee women's soccer team a 1-0 victory Friday evening over Southeast Missouri at Houck Field.
 
The Panthers (2-0-1) turned up the offensive pressure against the Redhawks (2-1-0) in the second half, using a 7-to-4 shots advantage after intermission to finally break through at the 69:30 mark.
 
"It was a gritty performance," UWM head coach Troy Fabiano said. "To get a result on the road against a good team in a tough environment was a good challenge for us."
 
Geurts made five saves to earn another shutout and hand SEMO its first loss of the young season.
 
"It felt as the game went on, especially in the second half, we were able to get control of the game a little more," Fabiano said. "Now we prepare for another road game against undefeated Eastern Illinois University."
 
The lone goal of the night came off a set piece opportunity, with McKaela Schmelzer and Aubrey Krahn connecting to find Onwuemeka in the goal box. She turned and fired from close-range for her first of the season.
 
Milwaukee finished with a 13-11 edge in total shots, with both teams placing five on target. Each squad had a pair of corner kicks, while UWM was whistled for 12 of the 20 fouls.
 
Onwuemeka had a game-high three shots, all three on frame. Schmelzer also had a trio of shot attempts. Mackenzie Schill had a pair, including a near-miss just seconds before intermission.
 
Up next, the weekend road trip is completed with a drive to the campus of Eastern Illinois, with the battle of Panthers vs. Panthers set to kick off at 12 p.m.