MILWAUKEE - Callie O'Donnell's goal in the 14^th minute helped the Milwaukee women's soccer team respond to an early 1-1 tie against UIC and carried the team to a convincing 5-1 victory Friday night at Engelmann Stadium.
 
With the Panthers (5-3-2, 1-0 Horizon League) up early on a fourth-minute strike by Maria Stephans, the Flames (1-6-2, 0-1 Horizon League) equalized quickly less than four minutes later. UWM took over from there, regaining momentum in scoring the final four goals of the night.
 
"I felt we came out quick and I think the emotions got the best of us, scoring and then giving up a goal right away," Milwaukee head coach Troy Fabiano said. "But they stayed composed and kept creating chances. We were dangerous all night, which is a great thing."
 
Stephans ended the evening with a goal and three assists, marking the first time a Panther had at least three assists in a game since 2011. O'Donnell ended the contest with a pair of goals and one assist, giving her a team-high six scores on the year.
 
"I just think we were very active," Fabiano said. "The work they were doing off the ball and creating spaces, they kept working and I give them credit. The ladies really responded tonight – first conference game and they came out and made a statement."
 
The Panthers got off to that fast start courtesy of Stephans, scoring her fourth of the season at the 3:08 mark when her corner kick to the far post curled into the net.
 
UIC did not waste any time in answering, however, scoring on a corner kick of their own when Tamae Douglas slotted in the set piece off a teammate pass in the box at the 6:57 mark.
 
The goal gave the Flames new life and renewed energy on the field. The next goal was crucial and it came from O'Donnell. Stephans took possession at midfield and sent a backpass to Cassidy Blanchard. Blanchard immediately sent a long ball over the back line of defense, which O'Donnell ran onto and finished to the far post for the 2-1 lead.
 
From there it was all Milwaukee. Maddie Tetzke tallied a beautiful strike at the 26:57 mark, volleying in a long serve from the sideline off the foot of O'Donnell for her second of the campaign and the eventual 3-1 lead at intermission.
 
UWM took control of overall possession immediately out of the locker room, creating a handful of early chances in the second half. The next goal came at the 50:31 mark, when McKaela Schmelzer sent home another Stephans corner kick when she found herself open at the far post.
 
Stephans was there with the setup for the final strike as well. She placed a free kick from midfield perfectly to the far post, finding O'Donnell in stride with the long 40-yard pass at the 66:24 mark for the final score of the 5-1 decision.
 
Mallory Geurts was back in goal and recorded five saves, the toughest coming with a nice stop on a free kick through the wall in the 56^th minute. Lauren Rice subbed on and was not needed for a save over the final 20:06.
 
The shot tally was all Milwaukee, with the home team finishing with a 26-to-10 advantage in the game, including 14-to-5 in shots on goal. UIC did earn nine of the 16 corner kicks in the match and was whistled for six of the 11 fouls. Backup keeper Tara Khayam made three impressive stops against UWM in the final 16:51, denying Anny West, Lourdes Onwuemeka and Kelly Manski from finding the back of the net with brilliant saves.
 
O'Donnell paced the offense with five shots, four of which were on goal. Tetzke placed three of her four attempts on goal and both Stephans and Jen Eberhardy each had three. Eberhardy added an assist on Tetzke's goal, finding O'Donnell in stride down the right sideline.
 
Up next, the Panthers take a break from midweek play and do not take the field again until Saturday, continuing league play with a trip to take on Northern Kentucky. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m.