DEKALB, Ill. – Two goals in the opening 12 minutes helped lift Milwaukee to a 2-0 victory over the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team on Tuesday night (Sept. 24) at the NIU Soccer Complex. With the win, the Panthers retain possession of the Lewang Cup. 

"I thought we were really good tonight," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "With the exception of the two goals, which were really poor for us to give up. One in our possession that we turned over and they scored, and the second one was poor defensive shape from us, to be fair to Milwaukee, they finished both goals well. With the exception of that, I thought we were really good, created a lot of chances, but when things aren't going right, things don't go right."

Milwaukee (3-1-3) opened the scoring in the 10th minute through Raul Medina. An NIU turnover on the edge of the box was poked to Medina by Mesfin Roda and the left-footed shot by Medina from 20 yards found the back of the net to give the Panthers an early lead. 

Just over two minutes later, Milwaukee doubled its advantage. A quick ball from Medina through the Huskie defense found the run of Alejandro Martinez streaking down the left side and his shot from the edge of the six-yard box beat NIU goalkeeper Caleb Pearson (Fort Worth, Texas/L.D. Bell) to give the visitors a two-goal lead in the 12th minute. 

A minute later, Kevin Kelly (Dublin, Ireland/St. Joseph Rush) had a chance from distance that was fought off by Milwaukee goalkeeper Daniel Ibarra as the Panthers took a 2-0 advantage into the interval. 

NIU (2-7-0) started the second half on the front-foot and nearly scored in the 56th minute. William Mugisha (Salt Lake City, Utah/Utah State Eastern) combined with Zachariah Thomas (Burnaby, British Columbia/Moscrop Secondary) to setup a chance for Joe Hernandez (Bensenville, Ill./York Community) just inside the penalty spot. Hernandez's shot was blocked away by a scrambling Milwaukee defender as the Panthers maintained their two-goal lead. 

In the 71st minute, Pearson made an outstanding save as Asher Ozuzu was slipped in toward goal, but the Huskie goalkeeper came off his line to cut down the angle and make the stop. 

The Huskies poured men forward in the final 10 minutes as they looked to grab a goal back to setup a grandstand finish. 

Hold up play from Kelly led to a chance for Martin Montoya (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central) in the 86th minute, but his shot was blocked and went out of play for a corner. Thomas curled a shot wide of the far post in the 87th minute and, after good work from Sam Divis (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) to keep a ball alive on the end line, Kelly swiveled and took a shot from the penalty spot that missed the upper corner by inches in the 88th minute. 

Pearson and Ibarra each finished with four saves. 

NIU will return to action on Saturday night, Sept. 28, when the Huskies host UIC. Kickoff against the Flames is slated for 7 p.m. at the NIU Soccer Complex and admission is free of charge.