MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Two goals in the opening 16 minutes helped defending Horizon League champion Milwaukee spoil the season opener for the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team as the Panthers topped the Huskies, 3-0, on Friday night at Engelmann Stadium. 

"In the first half we didn't have enough discipline or energy," said NIU head coach Julie Colhoff. "At halftime, we came together, challenged ourselves and responded. The intensity in the second half, the discipline defensively in the second half, the tactical awareness and the energy all improved. We found a little bit of grit in the second half and that went a long way."

The Panthers opened the scoring in the 11th minute on a goal by Lourdes Onwuemeka. After a cross by Haley Johnson from the right, Onwuemeka's initial shot was blocked but the rebound came right back to her and she was able to fire the second opportunity into the back of the net to give Milwaukee the early lead. 

Milwaukee doubled its lead just five minutes later. After a turnover by NIU in midfield, McKaela Schmeltzer slipped a pass into the run of Johnson who coolly slotted a shot inside the far post past NIU senior goalkeeper MacKenzie Lee (Yorkville, Ill./Yorkville) to give the Panthers a 2-0 advantage. 

The Panthers added a third before halftime courtesy of Kelli Swenson. A Milwaukee corner from Erin Corrigan was headed to the back post where Schmeltzer played it across the face of goal toward Swenson who reacted first and scored to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead at the intermission. 

The Huskies played the Panthers even in the second 45 minutes. NIU created a handful of half-chances after the interval, including a pair from junior Abby Gregg (Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield East) as well as one from sophomore Haley Hoppe (Austin, Texas/Rouse). Sophomore Megan Donnally (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North), who came on at halftime, made a pair of stops in the second half, saving a chance by Onwuemeka in the 53rd minute as well as an opportunity from Taylor Hattori in the 82nd minute. 

Lee was credited with eight saves in the opening 45 minutes for the Huskies while Donnally made two stops in the second half. 

NIU will return to action next Thursday, Aug. 23, as the Huskies host Western Illinois in their home opener. Game time against the Leathernecks is slated for 7 p.m.