MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee men's soccer team got a pair of goals from both Paolo Gratton and Logan Farrington to post a commanding 4-0 victory over IUPUI Wednesday afternoon at Engelmann Stadium.
 
"At the end of the day, it was a really good performance from our group from start to finish," head coach Kris Kelderman said. "That's the challenge, with the game being 90 minutes long, can you be solid throughout the whole course of the game. Today, we were solid from start to finish and I am very pleased."
 
The Panthers (4-4) set season-highs in goals scored, assists, and shots on goal in the shutout over the Jaguars (0-6), taking control with a goal in the 11^th minute and rolling from there.
 
"We needed a result today and the guys knew it," Kelderman said in regards to the team's chances at the postseason. "The approach was fantastic and it showed in our result."
 
Milwaukee came out the aggressor and could have scored even more early, but impressive stops by the Jags goalkeeper limited the damage. MKE did open the scoring at the 10:18 mark, with Farrington netting the eventual game-winner on a one-touch shot off a combination of quick passes from Josh Kidder and Raul Medina.
 
"Their tactics were to get everyone behind the ball and was a much-more defensive approach, so it was key that we tried to score early, get the lead and open them up a little bit," Kelderman said. "We did just that."
 
Gratton netted his first at the 20:44 mark, working a give-and-go with Farrington to double the advantage. Gratton had a blast from the box saved with an incredible stop in the third minute, while Kidder's near-perfect bicycle kick in the 19^th minute was also stopped with an outstretched save.
 
Farrington struck again in the 38^th minute, sending home his fifth of the season with a far-post header off a corner kick from Medina.
 
Gratton then added his second-straight multi-goal effort with a header in the 49^th minute, ending up as the only goal of the second half. David Cox's blast from the right wing was pushed wide to Medina, who quickly found Gratton for the header at the 47:47 mark for his third assist of the afternoon on Gratton's team-best seventh goal of the spring.
 
Medina's three assists tied for the fifth-most in a game in program history, marking the first time since 2004 that the feat was accomplished.
 
Gratton became the first Panther with back-to-back multi-goal performances since Antou Jallow in late October of 2004.
 
"Paolo has had a fantastic season so far and he keeps getting better every game," Kelderman said. "Every day in training, the kid works extremely hard. I would like to say we (the coaches) get to take some credit for his success, but it's on him. Just very proud of the season he is having and it's a bright future for him."
 
Milwaukee finished with a 17-to-6 shot edge that included a season-best 10 shots on goal. In addition to the goal high, the team also tied a season-best with six assists, set a new high with 12 points and recorded a 63/37 percent split on possession.
 
Farrington led the way with five shots (four on goal) and added the assist on Gratton's first tally. Gratton and Kidder each finished with four shots apiece.
 
Not to be lost in all of the offense, Nick Chiappa posted his second shutout of the season, making saves on both of the Jags shot attempts that were on target.
 
Up next, the Panthers continue the spring slate with a road game against Green Bay, with the "Chancellor's Cup" battle set for 5 p.m. on March 30.