MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee women's soccer team scored a goal in each half and dominated the stat sheet and overall possession in claiming a 2-0 victory over Green Bay in the Horizon League Tournament semifinals Thursday at Engelmann Stadium.
 
The Panthers (17-1) set a program record with their 12^th consecutive victory, topping the Phoenix (8-3-6) on goals from Lesley Kiesling and Rachel Phillpotts.
 
Kiesling opened the scoring in the 25^th minute and, despite 29 total shots on the day, it took until the 85^th minute to find an insurance tally when Phillpotts scored her sixth goal of the season.
 
Milwaukee dominated the opening 45 minutes, holding 72 percent of possession at the break as well as a shots advantage of 12-1. It started early, with Kat Van Booven getting a good look on a near-miss off a high header in the eighth minute.
 
Van Booven then hit the underside of the cross bar in the 20^th minute before the team finally broke through in the 25^th.
 
That happened with Phillpotts leading the charge, sending a ball down the left sideline to Gaby Schwartz. She sent a perfect ball to the goal front, just over Mackenzie Schill's leap and into the charging path of Kiesling], who headed it in for the 1-0 lead at the 24:02 mark and the eventual game-winner.
 
Kiesling nearly added a second just 79 seconds later, poking a short attempt off the right post.
 
That was the story of the game until late, as Maggy Henschler also squared one up off the crossbar, sending a free kick inches away from a goal in the 64^th minute.
 
It played a role again in the goal, but things finally went MKE's way. It started with a Jelena Sever free kick, saved at the far post with a diving attempt. Van Booven got a touch on it and Phillpotts sent a header on frame. This time it went off the crossbar and down, crossing the goal line and making it 2-0, providing the insurance tally at the 84:41 mark.
 
For the game, Milwaukee finished with substantial advantages of 29-to-3 in shots, 10-to-2 in shots on goal, 13-to-2 in corner kicks, as well as a whopping 74 percent of total possession. Kiesling and Phillpotts led the way with six shots apiece. In goal, Elaina LaMacchia was credited with a pair of saves, but enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon in goal.
 
With the win, the Panthers advance to the Horizon League Tournament Championship game Saturday for the sixth consecutive season. Game time is set for 1 p.m. and will be against the winner of the Oakland/Northern Kentucky game that starts at 4 p.m.
 
Check the MKE website for updates later tonight.