Sept. 3, 2006

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

MILWAUKEE - Junior Martin Castro recorded two goals and one assist on Sunday afternoon, helping the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team to a 4-0 victory over Lipscomb in the final game of the Panther Invitational. The Panthers (2-2) evened their record on the season with the victory over the Bison (1-3).

"I think we picked up right where we left off on Friday," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "Only this time we took advantage of our opportunities early, which was good."

Castro connected on a penalty kick just before halftime and then added another in the 75th minute for the first two-goal game of his UWM career. His five-point effort (2G/1A) is a team-high this season.

The defense was a bright spot once again, with sophomore goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum posting his second-straight shutout with five saves, including two key stops in a 10-second span in the 58th minute after a Lipscomb free kick that kept the Bison off the scoreboard.

"It's good to get those shutouts like that," Coleman said. "I mean, we are back on track now. It's good to get two wins - back to .500 - and I think the all-around work ethic and the energy and intensity that they brought is what's going to be needed on a day-to-day basis."

The first half was scoreless into the 34th minute, when senior Steve Sperl struck again for the eventual game-winner. Junior Tenzin Rampa sent a long serve from the corner to the far post, where Sperl was waiting to send it into the back of the net for his second goal of the year at the 33:51 mark.

Sophomore Colin Baker gave UWM a two-score lead in the 41st minute, heading home a perfect combination of passes from Sperl and Castro in the box for his first tally of the season.

Rampa played a key role in the Panthers third goal just before the half. Junior Dan Zelasko sent a perfect touch pass to Rampa who was streaking down the right side of the box. But, just before Rampa could get a shot off, he was taken down from behind by a Bison defender. That gave Milwaukee the penalty kick opportunity that Castro converted.

Castro then added his second at the 74:54 mark, taking a centering pass from Baker for a 12-yard blast to close out the scoring.

Milwaukee went 2-0 in its own tournament, but came up short on the tie-breakers to champion Wisconsin, which also went 2-0. The Badgers, who defeated IPFW, 7-0, in the first game of the day on Sunday, had a +8 goal differential to provide the difference, just above UWM's +7.

For the game, the Panthers outshot their opponent again, this time by a 28-to-eight count, including 17-to-five in shots on goal. They forced four corner kicks to three for Lipscomb, while the Bison were whistled for 26 of 46 fouls. The game also featured eight yellow cards, with six being issued to the visitors. Lipscomb goalkeeper Danny Prichard made 12 saves in defeat.

The Panthers season-high 28 shots included a team-high five from junior Zeke Dombrowski, while three others finished with three apiece. Baker ended the game with a goal and an assist for a career-best three points.

Milwaukee placed three players on the Panther Invitational All-Tournament team in senior Billy Meier, Castro and Fernstrum. Wisconsin's Aaron Hohlbein was named the MVP of the event (see below for complete team).

The Panthers are back in action on Friday, with a weekend trip to Madison to take on two teams ranked in the Top 25. They will take on No. 8 Creighton on Friday before battling No. 25 Washington on Sunday.

2006 Panther Invitational All-Tournament Team
Jeremy Greene, IPFW
Tim Hunter, Lipscomb
Danny Prichard, Lipscomb
Alexi Achilleos, Lipscomb
Billy Meier, Milwaukee
Martin Castro, Milwaukee
Grant Fernstrum, Milwaukee GK
Victor Diaz, Wisconsin
Andrew Cardona, Wisconsin
Jake Settle, Wisconsin GK
Tournament MVP - Aaron Hohlbein, Wisconsin