NORMAL, Ill. - Freshman Mackenzie Schill scored a late goal and the Milwaukee women's soccer team outshot Illinois State, 11-to-8, but came up just short in a 2-1 decision Saturday evening at Adelaide Street Field.
 
"Tonight was a great opportunity for us to play against a good team on the road and on grass," Milwaukee head coach Troy Fabiano said. "We gave up two goals on set pieces, which is something we will clean up before we head to Akron. I thought in the second half we came out with more energy and battled and created some chances to score."
 
The defending Missouri Valley Conference champions were held without a shot for the first 13-plus minutes, but were able to convert on their first opportunity when they netted a goal off a corner kick at the 13:23 mark.
 
Cassidy Blanchard nearly had a quick answer, hitting the cross bar in the 15^th minute, but the game went all the way to intermission with the 1-0 scoreline.
 
Milwaukee was gaining momentum, but the Redbirds converted a penalty kick in the 62^nd minute to give them the 2-0 advantage.
 
Schill made her presence known at the 78:54 mark for her first goal. She had a couple more tries down the way, recording shots in the 85^th and 86^th minutes. Despite the 11-8 advantage on the day, UWM could not find the shot to even the score before the final horn sounded.
 
Mallory Geurts made a save in her 45 minutes of action in the first half and Olivia Davies also had a save in her 45 minutes of playing time. Schill's three shots were a team-high; Jen Eberhardy recorded a pair.
 
Up next the season begins officially, with Milwaukee opening the season at Akron Friday. Game time is set for 6 p.m.