Sept. 11, 2005

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team scored a late goal to force overtime, but was unable to find a way to win in falling 2-1 to No. 12 Fairleigh Dickinson Sunday at the Pepsi Panther Invitational. The Knights scored the golden goal on their first shot of overtime in handing Milwaukee their first loss of the season. UWM falls to 2-1-1 overall, while Fairleigh Dickinson stays undefeated at 4-0.

"This was a very tough game to lose because either team could have won it," UWM head coach Louis Bennett said. "I am not going to take anything away from Fairleigh Dickinson, but we were in it and had clear-cut chances to win."

The Knights Yanni Rome Gosselin played the role of the hero for FDU, scoring both goals in the match en route to Tournament MVP honors. He took a pass at midfield in the 94th minute on a breakaway, and beat one UWM defender and the goalkeeper to give his team the Pepsi Invitational championship.

The Knights scored their first goal right before halftime, taking the 1-0 advantage at the 41:43 mark on a set piece goal. Mirza Rusevic sent a 30-yard free kick from the left flank to the far post, finding Rome Gosselin for the finish.

It stayed that way until deep into the second half. The Panthers were unable to develop numerous offensive runs because of a lack of execution, but finally broke through in the 81st minute, this time on a set piece goal of their own. Junior Craig Mallace sent the free kick into the penalty area to start things off. Senior Neil Dombrowski then flicked it to sophomore Chris Lins, who headed it into the net for his first goal of the season. The assist on the goal gives Mallace points in all four games this season.

"That it definitely something we work on," Bennett said. "Chris Lins was in the right place at the right time for a well-deserved goal."

The teams spent the first portion of the game getting a feel for each other, going back and forth with no real offensive flow. In fact, the first shot of the game did not occur until the 16th minute. The Knights were doing more of the penetrating, but were being stopped by the Panther back line of sophomores Steve Bode, Zeke Dombrowski and Chris Lins; and freshman Travis Phillips.

UWM did have two quality scoring opportunities in the first half, but had back-to-back shots on goal from close range stopped in the 27th minute. The other chance came in the 38th minute, when sophomore Andre Francois slid one over the top of the cross bar from 15 yards out.

"Fairleigh Dickinson frustrates you because they spoil what you try to do," Bennett said. "We couldn't get anything going offensively and then didn't capitalize on the chances we had. But they do what good teams do - they dampen offensive flair."

The flow of the game made it hard for either team to get any momentum going. Play was stopped for injuries on several occasions and also for 38 fouls and seven cards. UWM was whistled for 21 of the fouls, as well as three of the cards. Included in that total was a red card on Panther head coach Louis Bennett.

Milwaukee had the edge in all categories on the box score: 12-11 in shots, 7-6 in shots on goal and 8-4 in corner kicks. Junior Eric Mickschl made four saves in defeat, while the Knights Elvir Prasovic stopped six of the seven UWM shots on goal in earning the victory.

Milwaukee placed four players on the all tournament team. Junior Dale Weiler, Lins, Bode and Mickschl were all named to the squad. They were joined by Oakland's Chris Edwards and Doran Drai; Wisconsin's Kenny Dix and Aaron Hohlbein; and Fairleigh Dickinson's Donny Mayard, Pino Tubito and Rome Gosselin, who was named Tournament MVP.

In the first game of the day, Wisconsin recorded a 2-1 victory over Oakland. The Badgers took a 1-0 lead on a Dick Pearson goal in the first, only to see the Grizzlies tie the game in the 50th minute. But UW battled right back, getting the eventual game-winner from Reid Johnson in the 56th minute.

Fairleigh Dickinson earned the tournament crown with a 2-0 mark in the event. Both UWM and Wisconsin went 1-1 on the weekend, while Oakland was 0-2.

The Panthers will be right back in action, taking on Bradley University Tuesday at home. Game time versus the Braves is set for 3 p.m. at Engelmann Field.