Oct. 5, 2003

Box Score

AKRON, OHIO - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee head men's soccer coach Louis Bennett couldn't have drawn it up any better. The eighth-year head man notched his 100th career win in fantastic fashion as a goal in the final minute propelled his Panthers to a 2-1 victory over No. 21 University of Akron here Sunday (Oct. 5). The win was the first come from behind victory of the season for UWM and its first since Oct. 2, 2002. With the win, the Panthers improve to 8-4-0 overall while the Zips fall to 7-3-1.

"This is a great way to get your 100th win. Not because it was my 100th win, but because of the fact that we persevered, beat a Top 25 team, and won on the road," Bennett said. "It's just a great time to reflect on how far the program has come and where we are now. This isn't just a milestone for me. It's a milestone for all of those who have been with me since the beginning. Associate head coach Stan Anderson. Assistant coach Jon Coleman. Trainer John Oechsenwald. Videographer Paul Coleman. This win is their 100th too and they deserve just as much recognition."

The contest between the two evenly-matched teams started competitively and remained that way throughout the day. Neither team could dent the scoreboard in the first half despite UWM outshooting the hosts 11-4. Akron's defense, which had allowed just six goals all season and two goals at home, kept the Panthers out of the net despite the large shot total.

The Zips eventually took a 1-0 lead in the game's 63rd minute. Alex Odwell scored his sixth goal of the season after one-touch passing from HansJorgen Haugland and Ross McKenzie. However, less than 10 minutes later the resiliant Panthers tied the game, thanks to a pair of nice individual efforts. Midfielder Chris Brisson played a nice long ball to the far post where senior Kyle Lance drove a diving header past UA goalkeeper Justin Christafaris. The goal was the third of the season for Lance while the assist for Brisson was also his third.

With the game closing in on overtime, UWM continued to push and eventually won the game in improbable fashion. With less than 40 seconds remaining, freshman Craig Mallace threw a long pass into the UA penalty box. The throw found Neil Dombrowski, who, after sneaking behind the Zip defense, collected the ball and drove it home from three yards out. The goal was the first of the season for Dombrowski and second game-winner in his young career.

"Neil was just in the right place at the right time," Bennett noted. "This was just a suberb game of soccer from two very good teams. We were very resiliant with our effort and we were rewarded for that. As bad as Wednesday's loss to Wisconsin stung, the joy of this victory far surpassed that. This is just a very good win for our team."

Milwaukee will stay on the road for a pair of matches next weekend, both of which are of the Horizon League variety. UWM will face Wright State on Friday (Oct. 10) before heading to Indinapolis, Ind., where Butler will await for a Sunday (Oct. 12) showdown.