Men’s soccer (6-3-0, 1-0-0 MAC) fell to Milwaukee (3-5-2) in a tight 2-1 game Tuesday at the Soccer and Track & Field Complex.

Nine minutes into the first period, the NIU struck first in the game after a goal by sophomore defender Luke Read, his fifth of the season. He was assisted by senior midfielder Bertrand Gaschot.

Not many shots were taken by either team throughout the period following NIU’s goal as the Huskies outshot Milwaukee 4-2. Milwaukee finally broke the ice in the 75th minute of action, scoring on a goal by freshman Jonathan Stadler. It was his first goal of the season and the first of his career.

Less than four minutes later, the Panthers struck again, taking a 2-1 lead after a goal by freshman forward Nick Moon, assisted on the play by Francesco Saporito. It was also his first goal of the season.

The Huskies weren’t able to get any shots up in the last 11 minutes, effectively giving them the 2-1 loss.

“Tonight was the exact opposite of what most of our games have been,” said head coach Eric Luzzi, according to an NIU Athletics news release. “Most of the other games we battled and competed to give ourselves a chance to win late. Today, we scored early and I think some guys took their foot off the gas a little bit.”

The loss broke a streak of two wins for NIU when it beat Eastern Illinois and Bowling Green. It was also the team’s first home loss on the season.

“Credit to Milwaukee,” Luzzi said. “They are a better team than their record indicates. The biggest thing for me is that we had a handful of guys that, individually, had poor days, either with their soccer or competing and winning their individual battle.”

The Huskies will have six days of rest as they prepare to take on IUPUI (0-5-4) at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Soccer and Track & Field Complex.