Oct. 1, 2006

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

MILWAUKEE - In a season of heartbreaking losses, Chris VanDuerm of Northern Illinois helped his team add another to the list for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team. His 30-yard blast off a cleared corner kick in overtime helped the Huskies (8-3-1) escape with a 1-0 victory over the Panthers (3-7-1) on Sunday at Engelmann Field.

The victory also gives NIU possession of the LeWang Cup, the traveling trophy between the teams which honors the former NIU coach who was killed in an automobile accident prior to the 1981 season. Milwaukee had held the cup since a 4-2 victory in 2000.

The Huskies corner kick in the 96th minute was initially cleared by a UWM defender in the box. However, the headed ball went right to the foot of VanDuerm, who sent a blast to the upper right corner of the net to end it at the 95:57 mark.

"This one is tough - it goes to the top of the list," Panther head coach Jon Coleman said. "We fought hard today, but, give credit to Northern Illinois. They hung around and made the best of an opportunity."

The shot was the only dangerous chance that NIU had from halftime on, as the Milwaukee defense was solid all day. The Panthers limited their opponents to just seven shot attempts, snuffing out run after run before the Huskies could get an opportunity in the attacking third.

"The defense has been solid all year - especially today," Coleman said. "We fought hard, but we have to turn that good defending into better attacking. Right now we are struggling. Our top three or four guys in our system aren't really making a difference like they are capable of doing."

The Panthers did outshoot their opponents 10 to seven on the day, but were not able to sustain many quality attacks.

"We have to turn around and pick it up," Coleman said. "We are getting good quality balls to players when they need them, but we just need to be better in executing."

One of the best chances happened in the 81st minute, when junior Dan Horst made a nice move at midfield to maintain possession before sending a long pass to senior Craig Mallace. The NIU defender initially beat him to the ball, but Mallace was able to take possession away and carry the ball forward on the break. His shot attempt from inside the 18-yard box went wide right of the goal.

Huskie goalkeeper Joe Zimka was credited with three saves in earning the shutout. He stopped a free kick headed for the back of the net as well as two on-target shots by junior Troy Spielmann to keep UWM off the board. In addition to the stops, he came off his line numerous times to stop dangerous serves.

Sophomore Grant Fernstrum got stuck with another tough loss, making three saves. His leaping save of a ball headed toward the upper-right corner of the goal in the 64th minute kept the contest scoreless at the time.

Things do not get any easier for UWM, as they are in a stretch of four games in eight days. Next up for the team is UIC on the road on Tuesday. Not only is it a tough Horizon league match-up, but also the fourth game of the season for Milwaukee against a Top 10 opponent, as the Flames are currently ranked No. 7. Game time is set for 7 p.m.