Oct. 5, 2007

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Freshman Robert Refai scored a goal and assisted another, leading the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team to a 3-0 victory over Butler University on the road Friday night. The Panthers (1-8-1, 1-0-1 Horizon) have now beaten the Bulldogs (4-5-2, 1-1-0 Horizon) in eight of the last 10 meetings between the two teams.

"It was just huge getting this victory," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "You could just see the relief in the players. Collectively as a team we played well, put forth the effort and got a result. Tonight, every individual effort was important. And, together we were unbeatable."

The Panthers didn't wait long to net the eventual game-winner, as Refai flicked a throw-in to senior Ken Ogorzalek, who buried the shot to make it 1-0 just 12:17 into the game.

Milwaukee looked to take the one-goal lead into halftime, but had to have a big save from junior goalkeeper Ryan Germann to make it that far. In the 43rd minute, a foul on UWM gave Butler's Boris Gatzky a penalty kick. Germann was credited with the save, getting a piece of the ball and knocking it up and off the cross bar to keep the momentum going and the shutout in place.

Milwaukee would go on to add two more second-half goals, with Refai tallying his second of the season just 3:54 into the second half.

The final goal of the game came in the 72nd minute when senior Zeke Dombrowski netted his team-high third of the season on a breakaway after receiving a ball played from junior Adam Skalecki.

After the rough eight-game start to the season, the Panthers start Horizon League play without a loss (1-0-1) in its first two games.

"Right now, to be unbeaten in league is huge for us," Coleman said. "We now have to find a way to carry this momentum into Sunday."

Milwaukee outshot its opponent once again, recording a 16-to-nine advantage, including six-to-four in shots on target. Germann was credited with four saves to collect his first shutout of the year and fourth clean sheet of his UWM career. Butler's Fabian Knopfler made three saves in defeat.

The Panthers stay on the road, traveling to Ohio for a Sunday match-up with Wright State. Game time against the Raiders is set for 2:30 p.m. CST.