CHICAGO, Ill. - Kelly Manski scored just three minutes into the contest and Lourdes Onwuemeka recorded a pair of goals to send the Milwaukee women's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Loyola Chicago Sunday afternoon at Loyola Soccer Park.
 
The Panthers dominated the day, outshooting the Ramblers by a count of 21-to-6 in a contest that marked the exhibition opener for both teams.
 
"I thought we played well in the first half for only having been together for four days," head coach Troy Fabiano said. "It was great to see the improvement from this point last year in the understanding of how we want to play. I was pleased that our players off the bench today gave us a lift when they came onto the field. We understand we have a long way to go but it's definitely a positive start."
 
After coming out of the gates firing, Milwaukee converted an early corner kick into the first goal of the afternoon. Maria Stephans took the corner opportunity, sending the ball to the front of the goal. After bouncing around in the box, Manski was there to make it 1-0 early.
 
The Panthers doubled their advantage in the 35^th minute, with Onwuemeka chipping the keeper on a nice cross to the far post from Maddie Tetzke.
 
At the half, UWM owned advantages of 8-1 in shots and 5-1 in corners.
 
Mallory Geurts played the first 45 minutes in goal while making her Milwaukee debut, recording a save on the only ball that came her way.
 
In the second, Loyola took advantage of one of its few opportunities of the day, with Aleksa Tataryn sneaking one in at the post at the 78:52 mark to make it a one-goal game.
 
The Panthers responded later, with Onwuemeka netting the brace in the 86^th minute on a curling shot over the keeper's head from 20 yards out after taking the ball away from a defender.
 
The 21 shots were spread around to 11 different players, with numerous newcomers making their UWM debuts.
 
Callie O'Donnell had a team-high four shots, placing three of them on goal. McKaela Schmelzer earned the start and played 86 minutes, with the freshman putting two of her four shots on the day on frame.
 
Onwuemeka had three shots overall, converting two of them, while Manski and Aubrey Krahn each had two.
 
In addition to Geurts, Lauren Rice played 25 scoreless minutes and Olivia Davies had a save in her 20 minutes of action.
 
Milwaukee finished with a 9-3 advantage in corner kicks to go along with the 21-6 shots total. Both teams had eight fouls. The Loyola goalkeepers combined for six saves.
 
Up next, the Panthers prepare for their home exhibition contest, welcoming Illinois State Saturday at 1 p.m.