Oct. 12, 2003

Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - Finding ways to win. Good teams do it and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team proved to be no exception. The Panthers, who came into Sunday as one of the strongest offensive teams in the Horizon League, used a first half goal and superior defensive play to post a 1-0 league victory over Butler University at BU's Varsity Field today (Oct. 12). The win helped UWM keep a stranglehold on first place in the league race with a 4-0 record while helping to up its overall mark to 10-4. With the loss, Butler falls to 5-6-3 overall and 1-1-1 in league action. The win guarantees Milwaukee its fifth straight season with at least 10-wins.

"We had a solid defensive performance that gave us stability and helped us to win the game. We now have some substance to the way we defend." UWM head coach Louis Bennett said. "In our league, coming to Wright State and Butler is a difficult road trip. To come out of this trip 2-0 is impressive."

Milwaukee dominated the game statistically, taking 10 shots on the game to three for the home-standing Bulldogs. UWM took six shots in the first half, five of which were on goal, while Butler managed only two total shots with zero on net in the frame. Milwaukee was able to score the game-winner thanks to the red-hot Antou Jallow. The junior striker scored for the second consecutive game, this time tallying the match winner in the 22nd minute. Jallow headed home his team-high tying sixth goal of the year when he rose above the defense to knock home a Trent Furtsch corner kick at the 21:06 mark of the first half.

The Panthers continued to control the run of play in the second half but could not dent the stingy Butler defense. However, the UWM defense, anchored by junior netminder Kirk Thode, kept the Bulldogs from creating many dangerous chances en route to its sixth shutout of the season. Thode posted his second consecutive league shutout while improving his goalkeeping record to 9-3-0 on the season.

"This was a resiliant performance by our squad," added Bennett. "Overall it was a gritty performance and we got to use a lot of players. Today I think we proved that we some quality in our depth."

UWM will look to remain unbeaten in Horizon League play on Thursday (Oct. 16) when the Flames of UIC come to Milwaukee. The game, which is a part of UWM's homecoming festivities, is set to begin at 3 p.m. at Engelmann Field.