Sept. 23, 2006

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

MIAMI, Fla. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team had its hard-luck streak away from home continue on Saturday night, as it dropped a 1-0 decision to Florida International. The Golden Panthers (4-3-2) took the lead in the first half and held on to send the Panthers (3-6-1) back home with another tough loss.

"We were confident going into the game," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "We thought that as the game wore on, they would wear down and we would get opportunities. I thought we did that, but we just weren't sharp enough to take advantage of some of the opportunities we had."

UWM pushed forward in the final minutes, but was never able to create any dangerous chances. Florida International was able to clear the final threat, and ran out the clock by forcing a corner kick and then holding the ball in the corner until time expired.

"I think, all in all, the guys are pretty disappointed even though the defensive side of things was very good," Coleman said. "I am sure they would have liked to keep them from scoring at all to get the tie or win it in overtime."

The Panthers carried the large majority of play in the second half and appeared the much more dangerous team. Unfortunately for UWM, it was not able to take advantage of any of its opportunities.

The team missed a great chance in the 82nd minute, sending a close-range shot just wide right on a breakaway. Senior Craig Mallace carried the ball from midfield and sent a long pass to junior Martin Castro on the left flank. Castro sent a cross to senior Steve Sperl who one-touched it to sophomore Adam Skalecki. Skalecki's eight-yard shot went just right of the post to keep it at 1-0.

Junior Troy Spielmann nearly broke through in the 60th minute after a foul on top of the box. He bent his free kick around the wall, but Kyle Thomas made a diving attempt to push the shot wide and out of bounds.

Senior Steve Sperl had his chance at the equalizer in the 49th minute, but his shot from the top of the box on a second-phase attack was saved at the left post.

"The defense has been phenomenal," Coleman said. "They have been working really hard. We just need to be better at putting the ball in the back of the net. We're doing a pretty good job of keeping it out."

The Golden Panthers scored the only goal of the game in the 30th minute of a first half that was played largely in the midfield. FIU finally broke through on one of its forward runs when Cory Kendall carried the ball from midfield and found Edgard Correa in the middle of the field. Correa fed a streaking Chris Caporaletti who did the rest himself, carrying the ball through the box and sending one to the top right corner of the goal at the 29:55 mark.

UWM recorded just two shots in the half, both by Sperl. He nearly put the Panthers out in front early, but his 15-yard header off a well-placed pass from junior Tenzin Rampa was saved on a breakaway. He tried to catch FIU napping in the 33rd minute, rifling a 30-yard blast that was also saved.

In the game, FIU held the 12-to-eight edge in shots and the six-to-four advantage in shots on goal. UWM did force three corner kicks to two for its opponent. Sophomore goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum made four saves in defeat, while Thomas (two saves) and Shawn Crowe (2 saves) combined on the shutout.

Milwaukee has the week off after returning home, next taking the field on Sunday against Northern Illinois. The annual game against the Huskies will be played for the LeWang Cup, starting at 1 p.m. at Engelmann. In addition, the yearly Alumni Game will be played on Friday at 7 p.m.