Oct. 31, 2000
MILWAUKEE-The UWM men's soccer team opened the MCC tournament with an inspiring 3-0 victory over Butler on Tuesday afternoon at Engelmann Field. Hosting a quarterfinal match as the fourth-seed, the Panthers (11-8-1) looked dangerously sharp on every part of the pitch as they advance to the tournament semifinals on Saturday.
UWM's defense proved solid again, helping give sophomore goalkeeper Brad Swenby his second-straight shutout and fourth overall this season. Led by sophomore Chad Dombrowski, junior Evan Richardson, senior Scott Dombrowski, and junior Marc Pehowski, the Panthers' tight defense put the clasp on Butler's two of the top league leading scorers, freshman forwards Michael Mariscalco and Nick Pantazi.
Junior forward Ryan Seymour opened the game with a goal in the 5th minute off an assist from senior Blake Bostwick. Bostwick blasted the initial shot from about 16 yards out on the right, forcing Butler goalkeeper Jason Richarz to make an uncontrolled save. Seymour followed it in to score his ninth goal on the season and claim the early lead.
Bostwick struck again, this time scoring in the 32nd minute. Freshman Bobby Lish sent a cross into traffic at the top of the box, and Bostwick collected the loose ball with his back to the goal to set up a left-footed shot. The senior midfielder's unassisted goal put the Panthers up 2-0 at halftime.
Butler came out better to open up the second half, but UWM's relentless attack didn't leave much opportunity for the Bulldogs to come back. The Panthers' strong possession on all ends of the field maintained throughout the second half, allowing the midfield to repeatedly penetrate with crosses into the Bulldogs' box.
The Panthers claimed their final goal on the game when Bostwick took a free kick from about 25 yards on the left side, sending it to the center of the box. Sophomore defender Chad Dombrowski dove to flick-on the ball with his head, scoring far post to finish with the 3-0 lead.
"It was a great game to watch. At times, it was very exciting, and at times, it was very effective," said UWM coach Louis Bennett of his team's performance. "We asked players to fill specific roles, and they did. Like Scott Dombrowski, we put him into the back four (on defense) and asked him to limit Butler's tandem forwards up top. He did exactly that. We have a talented, young team, and it has taken time for the players to learn their roles. Each role is very important to the team's success, no matter how small a role, and today, they all filled them."
In other MCC quarterfinal action, all the top seeds posted victories over their opponents to advance to the semifinals: Top-seeded UIC topped #8 Cleveland State, 5-0, #2 Loyola defeated Detroit, 3-1, and #3 UW-Green Bay beat Wright State, 3-1. UIC will host the remainder of the tournament on Saturday and Sunday on its campus in Chicago, Illinois. Game times are yet to be announced, but UWM will take-on host UIC on Saturday.
