Sept. 1, 2006

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team bounced back in a big way in its home opener Friday night, defeating IPFW by a score of 3-0 in the 34th Annual Panther Invitational. Three different players scored for the Panthers (1-2) to give Jon Coleman his first victory as head coach.

"It felt good to get that first victory," Coleman said. "And it's good to always win at home. We had a good turnout tonight and the fans were obviously into the game and the players were into the game as well."

A crowd of 1,203 turned out for the contest against the Mastodons (0-3), the ninth-largest crowd in Engelmann Field history.

The game-winner for UWM came with just nine seconds remaining in the first half when junior Troy Spielmann put in a rebound off a free kick from junior Zeke Dombrowski.

The Panthers dominated the scoresheet at half, yet only had that slim 1-0 advantage. They held IPFW without a shot attempt, carrying the 10-0 edge heading into the locker room.

The second half was more of the same, but the Panthers were finally able to take advantage of their opportunities. Senior Steve Sperl scored his first goal of the season in the 66th minute on a highlight reel shot. Sophomore Travis Phillips sent a 40-yard free kick from the side of the field into the box, where Sperl had beaten his defender to the ball. With his back turned to a charging goalie, Sperl flicked a header behind him and over IPFW goalkeeper Joshua Howell for a 2-0 lead.

"Sperl is like that," Coleman said. "He has a knack for the goal and seems to pop up in the right place at the right time. Everyone was looking at it expecting the goalie to grab it but it was a nice little flick."

Junior Dan Horst closed out the scoring at the 89:39 mark with his first goal of the season. He took a long goal kick from sophomore goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum and netted the breakaway.

In addition to the assist, Fernstrum made two saves for his 11th career shutout. One of those came in the 58th minute when the score was still 1-0, as he stopped a point-blank shot from Aaron Tulloch to keep the lead at one. The defense played well all game in front of Fernstrum, allowing just six shots.

"We've been working hard with the defense, but that is the type of group we have back there," Coleman said. "Steve Bode, Travis Phillips, Billy Meier, Chris Lins, Grant Fernstrum ... I mean, that is what they are primed for. You are looking at some of the best back five players in the country and they are playing well together."

UWM ended with the 27-to-six shot advantage, including 11-to-two in shots on goal. The Panthers had numerous chances to add to their lead, but were unable to finish some quality chances. Sperl sent a breakaway just over the crossbar in the 17th minute, while Spielmann just missed netting a goal when he stole an IPFW crossing pass in the 28th minute and also sent one off the post in the 55th.

"To come out tonight and create some great opportunities and take advantage and score three goals was definitely a positive," Coleman said.

The Panthers close out play in the Panther Invitational on Sunday, taking on Lipscomb. In the first game of the day, Wisconsin defeated the Bison, 1-0. The Badgers and IPFW play in the first game, set for a noon start. UWM and Lipscomb will kick off at 2:30 p.m.