MILWAUKEE - Senior Laurie Bell scored on a penalty kick early in the second half to kickstart a possible comeback for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team, but Cleveland State University responded late to claim a 3-1 victory Saturday night at Engelmann Stadium.

The Panthers (3-5-1, 0-1 Horizon League) dominated the second-half against the Vikings (3-5-0, 1-0 Horizon League), but early mistakes prevented the comeback in the Horizon League opener for both teams.

"We talked as a team after the game was over because individual errors are hurting us game-in and game-out," Milwaukee head coach Kris Kelderman said. "I think throughout the game, over a 90-minute period, we gave ourselves a good chance to get a result. We keep digging a hole for ourselves and we just have to get sharper."

A turnover in back led to the first Cleveland State tally. Sophomore Liam Anderson made an impressive stop on the first shot and the rebound was sent back in but headed off the line by senior Richard Johnson. Alvaro Pichardo was there to hammer the next rebound home to stake CSU to the 1-0 lead at the 23:27 mark.

The Vikings scored again to take the 2-0 lead into halftime. Junior Declan Rodriguez almost got one back in the 43rd minute, but his header off a free kick by senior Luke Goodnetter was stopped point-blank at the far post. Milwaukee regrouped and came out strong in the second.

"We came out strong in the second half with a lot of passion and I think it showed," Kelderman said. "Our attack, our aggressiveness, helped create some opportunities, but we have to be sharper in front of the offensive goal. It comes down to getting better with individual plays."

It was Goodnetter again who found Bell in the box. He was fouled by the goalkeeper to earn the PK and calmly drilled it down the middle for his first goal of the season to make it 2-1 at the 52:51 mark.

Bell's header was tipped just high in the 72nd minute and UWM looked to have the game tied on the following corner kick. Goodnetter's ball found the head of Johnson, who fired one to the post. Nick Ciraldo played the hero's role again, making an impressive save to maintain his team's one-goal lead.

Ciraldo finished with six saves to earn the win. Anderson was credited with a pair of stops in defeat. Milwaukee ended with a 14-10 advantage in shots and earned four of the six corner kicks on the nights. CSU was whistled for 21 of the 36 fouls in a game that saw six yellow cards and a pair of red cards handed out.

Up next for UWM will be a Wednesday affair at Green Bay in the annual battle for the Chancellor's Cup. Start time will be 7 p.m. and the contest will also be aired on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel.