Oct. 9, 2005

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team extended their shutout streak to three-straight games on Sunday, defeating Butler University 2-0 on the road in Horizon League play. The Panthers (7-2-3, 3-1 Horizon) defeated a Bulldog (9-3-0, 2-1 Horizon) squad that entered the game ranked No. 25 by Soccer America and No. 5 in the Great Lakes Region by NSCAA.

"Our first half performance was second-to-none," Milwaukee head coach Louis Bennett said. "We didn't give Butler any clear-cut chances. We basically took the game to them. We defended really well and had a lot of people contributing."

The result wraps up a busy week for UWM, as they recorded three wins in the past five days, ending a stretch of four games in eight days. They also snapped the Bulldogs four-game winning streak in which they had blanked each opponent along the way.

The defense continued their stellar performance, helping freshman goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum to his third-consecutive clean sheet. Fernstrum had to make just one save on the day while lowering his season GAA to 0.37 in the process. Fernstrum has allowed just two goals in his five starts and has extended his scoreless streak to 302:44.

"Fernstrum just organizes so well," Bennett said. "And what's exciting now is that if someone is not doing their job, we don't have to play them...everyone is contributing. Today we played a lot of players [19 UWM players saw action] and managed to get it reasonably right."

The game turned very physical after halftime. The match had 33 fouls called in the contest, including 17 in the second half. The Panthers defense tightened in the period, fending off Bulldog offensive runs while not allowing quality chances for Butler shot attempts. In fact, Milwaukee allowed just four shots in the match - only one on target. Five yellow cards were also whistled in the match, all coming against BU.

The closest the Bulldogs came to scoring in the second occurred in the 61st minute, when Butler's Frank Patano sent an open shot wide of the goal. He was in the right place at the right time off a deflection at the left flank, sending the open shot off target and wide of Fernstrum who had come off his line.

Milwaukee scored both of their goals on set pieces in the first half. Up 1-0 in the 37th minute, the Panthers extended their advantage to two on a corner kick. Junior Craig Mallace placed the kick perfectly to the far post, where sophomore Steve Bode was there to head it past Butler goalkeeper Mike Sims for his fourth goal of the season.

UWM nearly scored in the 35th minute as well. Off a free kick from the sideline, Mallace sent a serve on goal. A flurry in the front saw Bode and senior Kyle Zenoni both get shots on goal from close range. A team save was recorded on Bode's shot before Sims was back in position to stop Zenoni's attempt.

The team scored the first goal of the game at the 12:54 mark. Mallace extended his streak with points in a game to six-consecutive when he netted his third goal of the season.

The play started after a foul was called on Butler when a defender brought down sophomore Tenzin Rampa outside the top of the penalty area. Mallace took the 23-yard free kick, placing it perfectly over the wall and into the lower right corner of the goal for the score.

For the game, the Panthers had the 14-4 edge in shots, including six to one in shots on goal. UWM was called for 15 of the 33 fouls with both teams forcing three corner kicks. Sims ended with three saves in defeat, with Fernstrum needing just one to help extend the Panthers winning streak in the series to six-consecutive.

"It was a fantastic road trip," Bennett said. "It was probably one of the best we have had in terms of results in a few years."

The Panthers will be back in action on Wednesday, hosting UIC at Engelmann Field in a Horizon League match. The game will be a special one, as Milwaukee will be wearing commemorative Hurricane Katrina jerseys, which they will be auctioning off to help in the relief efforts. All proceeds will be going to the Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the American Red Cross. Game time is set for 3 p.m.