FRANKLIN, Wis. – A goal by
Natalie Auble in the 10
th minute was all the Milwaukee women's soccer team needed in handing Purdue Fort Wayne a 1-0 shutout Wednesday at the Mosh Performance Center.
The Panthers (2-0) had plenty of opportunities to add to the scoreboard against the Mastodons (0-1), outshooting the visitors by a total of 20-6 on the afternoon.
"Given our restrictions on where our training environment is currently at, we didn't look sharp, but I give Purdue Fort Wayne credit," head coach
Troy Fabiano said. "They came out, they competed, they were physical. And I thought we could have adjusted a little bit differently, but you take the win and move on."
The victory extends the MKE unbeaten streak in regular-season Horizon League play to 35 consecutive (32-0-3) games.
Auble netted her first of the season in convincing fashion, taking one touch on a centering pass from
Taylor Tabbert before slotting it past the PFW goalie inside the left post at the 9:02 mark.
"Auble was composed enough to put it away and it was a good goal for us," Fabiano said. "I think it was there a little bit more and I think we played it frantic, it's just not getting the reps we need."
Gaby Schwartz also picked up an assist on the play, finding Tabbert down the right sidelines to start the offensive threat.
The Panthers had some good looks to add to the lead.
McKenna Stratton fired just high in the 42
nd minute after a nice combination of passes from
Kat Van Booven and
Jelena Sever.
Auble nearly had a second of her own, also firing just high on a one-timer off a perfect lead pass in the 53
rd minute.
Mackenzie Schill had her blast on a volley stopped nicely in the 62
nd and
Rachel Phillpotts was also denied on a near-goal header in the 75
th minute.
In goal,
Elaina LaMacchia was up to the task for her lone save of the contest in the 15
th minute to pick up the 18
th shutout of her career.
The 20-6 shot differential included an 8-1 edge in shots on goal and a very large 12-2 advantage in corner kicks. Schill (5) and Phillpotts (4) led the MKE shot chart.
Up next, the Panthers are scheduled to travel to Northern Kentucky. Game time is set for 12 p.m. CST Feb. 17.
