MILWAUKEE – Jelena Sever scored the game-winner on a penalty kick in overtime to send the Milwaukee women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Oakland Monday evening at Engelmann Stadium.
 
The Panthers (7-1) turned up the intensity in the second half against the Golden Grizzlies (5-3-2), finally putting the game away in overtime after a hand ball was called in the box.
 
Sever calmly converted the PK for the winner at the 93:28 mark, capping "Senior Day" with the golden goal by netting her fifth of the season.
 
Milwaukee spent much of the contest putting pressure on the Oakland defense, accumulating 18 shots overall. But it wasn't until the extra session before they were finally able to convert.
 
"Our energy in the first half wasn't very good, and give credit to Oakland for that," head coach Troy Fabiano said. "In the second half, I thought our energy and physicality was better. But we have to avoid those slow starts, especially heading into the playoffs."
 
After just one shot on goal prior to halftime, the Panthers had some close calls in the second. Haley Johnson just missed a header in the 54^th minute, sending her attempt just wide of the left post following a great combination of passes from Mackenzie Schill and Taylor Tabbert.
 
MKE added some serious pressure in the 79^th minute, seeing Rachel Phillpotts attempt get blocked close-range in the box, followed by a nice OU save on the second-effort from Julia Barajas at the post.
 
"In the second half, we had some good combinations, but the final piece is always the hardest thing in soccer," Fabiano said. "I felt a couple kids came off the bench and gave us some energy in the second half. We talked about it at halftime. We responded in the second half and they got the three points. At this time of the year, we take the three points and move on."
 
For the game, Milwaukee enjoyed advantages of 18-to-11 in total shots (4-3 Oakland edge in shots on goal) and 8-6 in corner kicks. Phillpotts paced the offense with four shot attempts.
 
In goal, Elaina LaMacchia was at it again, recording four saves for her fifth total shutout of the season and third solo clean sheet. That ups her career total to 20 and lowers her goals-against average to a miniscule 0.27 on the season. She has not allowed a goal in her last three-plus appearances, carrying a scoreless streak of 277:47 into the postseason.
 
The day also marked the final regular-season home contest for the three graduating seniors: #3 Morgan Koerber, #4 McKenna Stratton, and #17 Taylor Tabbert.
 
At 7-1 this spring, the Panthers finished the regular season as the No. 2 seed in the final league standings. They will host one of the two tournament semifinals, welcoming IUPUI for a rematch of their only loss of the season next. That game is set for April 11, kicking off at 1 p.m.