MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee women's soccer team stayed perfect on the season, running its shutout streak to nine games in a row with a 1-0 victory over Detroit Mercy Friday night at Engelmann Stadium.
 
"We knew that," Milwaukee head coach Troy Fabiano said of the tough battle. "Mike [Lupenec; Detroit's coach] has his team working extremely hard. But anytime you step into Horizon League play, it's going to be a grind."
 
The Panthers (8-0-1, 1-0 Horizon League) topped the Titans (2-6-1, 0-1 Horizon League) on a goal by Lourdes Onwuemeka in the 66^th minute to claim the close victory in the league opener for both teams.
 
"We thought we came out a little flat and instead of just trying to keep the ball, it became a physical contest," Fabiano said. "I think we did a little better in the second half keeping the ball and being dangerous and creating some chances."
 
Mallory Geurts extended her school-record scoreless streak to 832:06 in the process, needing to make just one save – albeit a brilliant stop – to post her NCAA-leading ninth shutout of the season.
 
"It's a group effort," Fabiano said of the defense. "In the same sense, towards the last 15 minutes of the game, we were not too happy that we were giving up dangerous opportunities. I think we just need to stay composed, find another goal and put the game out of reach."
 
Scoreless at intermission, Milwaukee nearly had a goal just seconds later, but Onwuemeka's header off a long free kick from Jen Eberhardy was sent just to the right of the post at the 45:44 mark.
 
The first goal of the evening nearly came in the 60^th as well, again by Onwuemeka. She ran on to a long ball off the foot of Cassidy Blanchard and had the Detroit Mercy keeper running off her line. The attempt was on target, but right at Marina Manzo.
 
Onwuemeka made sure the third time was a charm, taking a quick restart after a foul from Anna Smalley and running on goal. A quick one-touch sent her past the keeper and another touch was in the back of the net at the 65:35 mark.
 
The Titans pressed late, sending everyone they could on goal. A 78^th-minute attempt went off the cross bar, but the UWM defense would again stand up to the test, not allowing a shot on goal following Geurts brilliant save in the 39^th minute.
 
For the game, the Panthers ended with a 15-to-8 advantage in shots (5-1 on target), as well as six of the seven corner kicks on the evening. Onwuemeka had a game-high four attempts, with Aubrey Krahn and Mackenzie Schill each finishing with three.
 
The result sets up a crosstown rivalry game against Marquette Sunday night with both teams coming in nearly unblemished. The No. 19 Golden Eagles will bring a 7-1-1 record into play at Engelmann, set for a 7 p.m. start.