Oct. 3, 2006

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

CHICAGO, Ill. - The tough losses continued on Tuesday night for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team, as it dropped a 1-0 decision to 12th-ranked University of Illinois at Chicago at Flames Field. Sophomore goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum made six saves - including one on a penalty kick - but it was a miscue that decided the game for the Flames (8-1-2, 2-0 Horizon) and sent the Panthers (3-8-1, 0-2 Horizon) back home with the defeat.

The game-winning goal came in the 81st minute. UIC's Derek Kosek played a long ball from beyond midfield towards the Panther goal. Fernstrum came off his line to make the stop, but mishandled the ball, allowing Tonci Skroce to send in the six-yard shot on the open net.

"We fought really hard tonight," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "Obviously, offensively we are still struggling to really create really good opportunities. But there is still a lot to play for. We have five other games left in the league."

It was a tough ending for Fernstrum, who made numerous brilliant saves in the second half, including the stop on the penalty kick in the 67th minute.

On the play, senior Billy Meier was called for a foul on a breakaway in the box. Skroce was also the UIC player to take the PK, but Fernstrum guessed correctly, diving to his right to make the save and keep the game scoreless at the time.

"Fernie played a fantastic game - it was the Fernstrum we all know," Coleman said. "He put us in position to win with the saves he made. He was just a bit unfortunate at the end."

He came up big time and time again, making a diving stop on a close-range shot from Pavle Dundjer in the 71st minute and another diving save on a blast from the flank from Brodey Simkins in the 75th minute.

Milwaukee's offense did not help him out, as it managed just one shot in the second half. The Panthers pushed forward after the goal, but were unable to come up with any scoring opportunities.

The first half did not feature much offense, with the majority of possession for each team spent on the defending side of midfield looking for opportunities. It took over 15 minutes before either side got a shot attempt off when junior Zeke Dombrowski sent a 25-yarder wide left after a turnover in back. The other two UWM attempts were a second-phase volley from senior Craig Mallace that went wide and a shot from junior Dan Horst on the break that was saved with under a minute to play.

The Panther defense played very well in the first, allowing just three shots. The most dangerous one occurred in the 36th minute. Cesar Zambrano had the ball on the right flank and sent a perfect back pass to a streaking Mike Griffin. Griffin's shot was headed for the net when it was cleared off the line by junior Martin Castro.

For the game, the Flames outshot UWM 13-to-four, including eight-to-two in shots on target. UIC also had three corner kicks to none for Milwaukee and was called for 10 of the 19 fouls in the game.

The Panthers return to Milwaukee for the start of a long homestand next. The first of the contests will be played under the lights on Friday, with UWM hosting Wright State at 7 p,m, at Engelmann Field.