MILWAUKEE – A pair of goals in a span of just over two minutes shortly after halftime gave the Milwaukee women's soccer team a 3-0 lead and stood up for a 3-2 victory over Green Bay Wednesday night at Engelmann Stadium.
 
The Panthers (11-4-3, 8-0-2 Horizon League) followed up intermission with a brilliant second-half jumpstart against the Phoenix (6-8-4, 4-3-3 Horizon League) to claim the Horizon League regular-season title for the fifth consecutive season.
 
The win also extends their unbeaten streak against Green Bay to 12 straight (11-0-1) while also moving their league-record unbeaten streak in regular-season matches to 39 (31-0-8). The last time MKE fell in a conference regular-season contest was September 15, 2022.
 
"Really proud of them and this long streak they've had of unbeaten games is an incredible accomplishment," head coach Kevin Boyd said. "But also, last year, we had two players that at a moment's notice could break a game open, and this year we don't have that person. But we have had multiple people step up and that is really what the difference has been this year. The combined effort of players to find a way to contribute and find a way to get goals, and it's been more of a team effort this season."
 
It took the Milwaukee offense a bit to get going but turned its first shot attempt of the game into a 1-0 advantage when Mallory McGuire netted her ninth of the season at the 26:30 mark.
 
Ellie Rebmann started the scoring play with service into the box, where a charging Emily Petring redirected the ball to the post with McGuire waiting to pounce.
 
"The first half was relatively even, and I think the stats showed it," Boyd said. "We knew the game was very much up in the air when we went into halftime and we discussed what we needed to do. I think we came out with some pretty good fire and were all over them."
 
The Panthers doubled their advantage just after halftime, as Lola Wojcik got her foot on a clearance attempt – and into the back of the net at the 46:57 mark.
 
Just two minutes later, the Panthers pushed the margin to three. Kristina Karlof volleyed home a feed from McGuire in the 49th minute, capping a quick and clinical sequence that put Milwaukee firmly in control, started by Kiersten White.
 
"That first goal – pretty fortunate by us – not something that was drawn up but credit to Lola to close and block a clearance to go up 2-0," Boyd said. "And then Tina (Kristina Karlof) with a great finish to put us up 3-0. I was happy with that … I was not happy with the way we closed out the game again and that is a concern I've got for this team. That's two games in a row that we've given up goals late that we absolutely should not be giving up and that's something we have to fix."
 
Green Bay refused to go quietly, cutting into the lead in the 66th minute. The Phoenix continued to press late, pulling within one on a tally with just over a minute remaining in regulation. Despite the late pressure, Milwaukee's back line and goalkeeper Bella Hollenbach stood tall to close out the match and preserve the win.
 
"With that said .. playing a rival, it's pretty intense, we managed to find a way to win and to win the conference," Boyd said. "And for the seniors, that's four in a row for that class and five straight for the program, which is outstanding. And now our focus goes to hosting the semifinals. "
 
Green Bay held a 6-1 edge in corner kicks and a 16-7 advantage in total shots, but the Panthers made their chances count, putting four on target and converting three. Hollenbach finished with three saves in goal. Wojcik, McGuire, and Petring were team leaders with two shots apiece.
 
With the victory, Milwaukee locked up the top seed in the upcoming Horizon League Championship and will host throughout the postseason as the league's regular-season champion. Opening-round action starts Monday, with the top four remaining seeds heading to Engelmann Stadium for semifinal action November 6. The Milwaukee website will be updated after the final bracket has been settled following Monday's contests.