MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee women's soccer team picked up a well-deserved 1-0 victory over Green Bay Wednesday evening at Engelmann Stadium.
 
The Panthers (16-1, 11-0 Horizon League) finished off the Phoenix (7-2-6, 4-2-5 Horizon League) on a Gaby Schwartz penalty kick in the 73^rd minute to wrap up the Horizon League regular-season slate at a perfect 11-0.
 
"This was all about Senior Night," head coach Troy Fabiano said. "It's an amazing group, especially with the uniqueness that COVID brought to it. That group makes up our first two recruiting classes and look what they have done – the numbers speak for themselves. So, I think that was the biggest thing, just having the opportunity to celebrate this group."
 
The result was warranted, with MKE dominating possession as well as every statistical category all evening before finding the late goal. The Panthers ended the match with substantial advantages of 22-to-8 in shots, 10-to-4 in shots on goal, and 7-to-1 in corner kicks. The final possession count checked in with 68 percent in favor of the home team.
 
"I think the biggest thing was just being patient," Fabiano said, "We seemed to miss an opportunity here; miss an opportunity there, so I give credit to the ladies – they were patient and never panicked. They did a good job keeping things in front of them."
 
Schwartz put away the PK at the 72:25 mark to cap "Senior Night" in proper fashion, coming in front of a large crowd that celebrated the 10-member class that was honored in a pregame ceremony.
 
Milwaukee picked up the intensity in the second half and nearly had a goal on several occasions. One stretch in the 60^th minute saw a pair of spectacular saves by GB's Annie Mason keeping it 0-0. The first came directly off a Schwartz corner kick, and the second came just 21 seconds later, making a full-out diving stop of a blast from the wing off the foot of Maggy Henschler.
 
Elaina LaMacchia was just as good on the ensuing possession, having to leave her line to make a save when a breakaway developed following what looked to be an offsides situation for the Green Bay offense.
 
It was one of two saves for her on the evening, playing the first 63:37 before leaving for Allie Strottman off the bench. Strottman was just as good, called upon for a tough save just 22 seconds after taking the field for the first of her two saves in 26:23, eventually picking up the victory.
 
Mackenzie Schill played a key role on the goal being awarded, forcing a handball in the box on a hard cross from the endline. She also had a rocket shot saved from close range early (32^nd minute), and just missed a header late (89:27) on a pretty buildup from Haley Johnson and Kat Van Booven.
 
Schill led the offense with five shots; Schwartz, Rachel Phillpotts, and Van Booven all finished with three.
 
The full list of "Senior Night" honorees included: #0 Allie Strottman, #1 Elaina LaMacchia, #10 Jelena Sever, #11 Taylor Hattori, #12 Maggie Woods, #13 Mackenzie Schill, #14 Julia Barajas, #25 Rachel Phillpotts, #28 Haley Steel, and #34 Gaby Schwartz.
 
Up next, the team earned a bye from first-round Horizon League Tournament action and is set to host the semifinals and finals next weekend. Up first, a 1 p.m. semifinal matchup November 4, with opponent to-be-determined.