Oct. 4, 2005

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MILWAUKEE - Freshman goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum posted his first career shutout to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to a 2-0 victory over the University of Wisconsin on Tuesday afternoon at Engelmann Field. Fernstrum made five saves - including one on a penalty kick - to help the Panthers (5-2-3) to the non-conference win over the in-state rival Badgers (4-7-0).

"I was hoping for a spirited performance and we accomplished that," UWM head coach Louis Bennett said. "Playing an in-state rival is a bonus game. Obviously I wanted the win as well, so we accomplished both today."

Fernstrum came up huge all match, especially on the Badger penalty kick attempt. The play occurred in the 63rd minute with Milwaukee up 2-0. A foul was called when a pair of Milwaukee defenders tripped Wisconsin's Erik Ortega in the box on a second phase attack after a corner kick. Aaron Hohlbein was called on for the penalty kick attempt and sent a right-footed shot to Fernstrum's left. Fernstrum guessed correctly and got enough of the ball to send it up-and-over the crossbar.

"I just played the percentages," Fernstrum said. "Players will go a certain way depending on what foot they kick with. It's something I worked on with Coach A. [Panthers associate head coach Stan Anderson]. Both penalty kicks I faced in Washington went with the percentages, so I went with it again."

The Milwaukee defense tightened in the second half to lead the way. The Badgers were the aggressor after falling behind on the scoreboard, pushing forward and taking 13 shots after intermission. But UWM was up to the task, clearing chance after chance, including six Wisconsin corner kicks in the period.

"Fernstrum was the catalyst," Bennett said. "The defense absorbed the attack very well. We had holes, but they weren't gaping holes. We patched them and showed a lot of character."

Fernstrum made several key saves in the second half. One came in the 51st minute, when the Badgers' Christopher Ede broke free with a nice move before sending a blast from the top of the box that Fernstrum had to make a diving attempt on. Another came in the 83rd minute, when he made a stop on a diving header from Hohlbein. Hohlbein, who finished with a game-high seven shots, was at it again in the 87th minute, sending a header off the crossbar as the Panthers preserved their third shutout of the season.

Up 1-0 at halftime, UWM extended their lead to 2-0 at the 55:41 mark. Junior Craig Mallace corralled a ball at midfield and hit sophomore Andre Francois with a long feed on a breakaway. Francois drifted to stay onsides, collected the pass and beat one defender and the Badger goalkeeper who had come off his line for his first goal of the season.

The lone goal of the first half came on a penalty kick. In the 30th minute, sophomore Tenzin Rampa sent a 20-yard serve into the box from the right flank. Senior Neil Dombrowski collected it, but was tripped before he could get off a shot. Dombrowski followed with the penalty kick, converting for his team-leading fourth goal - and second game-winner - of the season.

For the first time in eight games the Panthers were outshot, as the Badgers finished with the 18-12 advantage in shots, including five to two in shots on goal. Wisconsin also had the 6-3 edge in corner kicks, while UWM was whistled for 22 of the 33 fouls called in the contest. Badger goalkeeper Jake Settle allowed both goals and did not make a save, while Fernstrum stopped five to record his first collegiate victory.

The Panthers will embark on one of their biggest road trips of the season this upcoming weekend, when they head to play Wright State on Friday and Butler on Sunday in two key Horizon League match-ups. Friday's match versus the Raiders will start at 6 p.m.