Aug. 14, 2006

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team opened up its 2006 season with a 1-0 win over Bradley University in an exhibition match at Engelmann Field on Monday. Senior Steve Sperl scored the only goal of the game at the 4:42 mark, helping the Panthers open the Jon Coleman era with a victory.

"A win is a win," Coleman said of his first official game as the UWM head coach. "We took a look at a lot of different people today ... a lot of combinations. It was a good start for us against a quality team. Bradley is a hard-working, young squad. We were able to weather the storm and prevent goals, so it was great to get the shutout."

Coleman took over the program after the past nine seasons as an assistant at UWM.

"It's great to get started on the right foot with the victory, but we were almost beating ourselves out there. We weren't happy about the entire 90 minutes, but that's soccer."

Less than five minutes in, Sperl rocketed a volley into the top left corner of the goal on UWM's first shot attempt of the game. Senior Dale Weiler started the play with a cross from the sideline to the top of the 18-yard box. Junior Andre Francois and a Bradley defender went for it, with the BU defender popping the ball straight up in the air. Sperl came flying in to finish off the rest, striking the ball before it hit the ground.

"That was a phenomenal goal," Coleman said. "We dropped Sperl into the midfield this year to give him a chance to take advantage of those kinds of opportunities. He strikes a lovely ball and took advantage of the situation with a first class goal."

The Panther defense did the rest. The squad did not allow a shot by Bradley until the 14th minute, and did not allow a shot on goal until the 60th minute of the contest. The Braves had their last opportunity in the final two minutes, but sophomore goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum made a save on a shot from inside the box by Chris Cutshaw after a free kick to ice the victory.

"The defense was solid," Coleman said. "We have put in a lot of work in the past four days. Fernstrum was ready when called upon as well. He looked sharp ... hungry. He did a great job organizing his back line out there today."

The teams ended the game tied in corner kicks at five and shots at 11, with Milwaukee holding a six-to-three advantage in shots on goal. Fernstrum made three saves to earn the shutout victory while Bradley's Mike Haynes ended with five saves in defeat.

The game was the third UWM win over Bradley in less than a year, following victories in the 2005 regular season and NCAA Tournament.

"We match up well against them," Coleman said. "We have been fortunate to be able to take advantage of our opportunities when we play them."

The Panthers continue their exhibition season with a trip to Indiana on Sunday. They will take on Valparaiso in a 3 p.m. contest.