DETROIT, Mich. – After trailing for the first time in a conference game this year, the Milwaukee women's soccer team found two late goals – including the game-winner by Mallory McGuire in the closing seconds – to escape with a 2-1 victory over Detroit Mercy Thursday night at Titan Field.
 
"The good thing is we found a way to win," head coach Kevin Boyd said. "Very specifically, when we were down 1-0 with 15 minutes left, we responded and came back and got a goal and then scored one in the last 30 seconds."
 
The Panthers (9-4-1, 6-0-0 Horizon League) found themselves behind the Titans (2-11-1, 0-5-1 Horizon League) after a goal in the 75^th minute broke open a scoreless affair. The team never panicked, finding the equalizer just 1:57 later on a PK from Emily Petring before McGuire netted her team-best seventh goal of the season to send MKE home a winner.
 
"I would say it wasn't one of our better performances, it wasn't pretty, but it's hard to win on the road – which I have said over and over," Boyd said. "So, credit to our team to get it done. I also thought that Detroit played very well. If they keep playing like they did against us, they are going to start generating results because they were good on the night."
 
In addition to advancing Milwaukee's unbeaten streak over tonight's opponent to 20 straight (18-0-2) in the series, it also extends its unbeaten streak in regular-season league play to an impressive 35 consecutive (29-0-6) matches – just one short of the league record.
 
A stalemate until late despite several quality chances – the Detroit goalkeeper finished with nine saves – the Titans broke through at the 74:56 mark when they found a goal on a header off a corner kick.
 
Trailing in a conference game for the first time since September 29, 2024 – a span of over 10 games and 1,076 minutes – the team remained calm and came through with a near-immediate answer.
 
The offense earned a free kick, which was sent to the goal front by Kiersten White. Petring was knocked down from behind to earn the whistle. She then stepped to the spot and delivered the equalizer just 1:57 later.
 
Looking like a possible draw as the game ticked to a close, Ashlyn Skinner-Barrett connected on a long ball with Petring. Petring quickly found McGuire and she did the rest, finishing from the right wing to the far post to wrap up the improbable 2-1 victory as the clock read 89:36.
 
"That last 30 seconds was all Mal," Boyd said. "She got it, beat a player, and put it away – a really special moment for her. She comes out as the hero, but the entire team responded in that last 15 minutes. We were far better in that final stretch than we were the whole 75 minutes leading up to that. We are now on active recovery mode and trying to get ready for our third road game in in a row this Sunday."
 
Despite giving up the lone goal, Bella Hollenbach put together a very strong night to pick up the win. She started quickly, making a great save on a corner kick in the sixth minute. She punch-saved another close-range effort out of goal in the 21^st to help get the contest to 0-0 at the break.
 
The offense had some good looks in the first half: Petring had a solid opportunity saved well with a low dive in the 32^nd and Talyor Richards just missed finishing a Skinner-Barrett cross in the 41^st.
 
UDM's Eva Hill made a phenomenal save in the 56^th minute, denying Lola Wojcik on a breakaway chance after Kristina Karlof set her up.
 
Hollenbach then came through with the save of the day, getting just enough of her hand on a 30-yard attempt to clear it over the crossbar in the 65^th minute. She ended up with six total saves on the night, none bigger than that one.
 
For the match, the Panthers did manage a slight 18-17 edge in total shots and 11-7 in shots on goal, while the Titans had six of the 10 corner kicks. Petring and Jenni Andjelic paced the way with four shots apiece, while Petring led the way with three points on her goal and assist.
 
Up next, the Panthers look to continue their undefeated league campaign at Oakland Sunday, set for a 12 p.m. CT kickoff.
 
"After that we're fortunate enough to come home for our final three games," Boyd said. "We're getting it done … the tough way sometimes, but we're getting it done. We've got one more to go and then we get to come home."