Nov. 16, 2007

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

CHICAGO, Ill. - Kevin Stoll scored the game-winning goal at the 93:59 mark of overtime, sending the University of Illinois at Chicago to a 1-0 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team Friday night at Loyola Soccer Park. The Panthers (5-12-3) see their season come to a close in the Horizon League semifinals, while the Flames (10-5-5) advance to play in the tournament championship game against Green Bay Sunday.

A defensive struggle throughout, junior goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum kept the Panthers in the game all evening. With just over eight minutes remaining in overtime, he made a full-out diving stop off a close-range header that saved the game at the time.

Less than two minutes later, the Flames played a quick corner kick up the sideline and then chipped the ball into the goal box. After deflecting off two players, the ball fell right to Stoll who sent one past Fernstrum to end it.

"It's unfortunate that at this time of year that somebody has to be the winner and somebody has to be the loser in a game like that," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "And it's very unfortunate being on the short end of it. But, we played some quality soccer tonight - we played some Panther soccer. The guys really worked hard and we played well tonight."

Chances in the game for either side were few and far between all match and Fernstrum was able to come up with every stop he needed throughout the match. With less than a minute remaining in regulation, he made a tough stop on a free kick off the foot of Pavle Dundjer.

He made two other impressive stops within a two-minute stretch with about 30 minutes left on the clock. Dundjer rifled a two-hop free kick through the wall that he corralled and also stopped a full volley from the top of the box less than 60 seconds later.

"He (Fernstrum) stepped up and did well," Coleman said. "And, the game could have gone either way. It was an exciting atmosphere. This time of the year, there is a lot of emotion and excitement and I think you saw that tonight."

The Panthers almost had a chance to keep it from going overtime when they had an opportunity with just under seven minutes to go. Senior Martin Castro ran down a lazy UIC back pass, nearly beating Flames keeper Jovan Bubonja to the ball just outside the line of the goal box. He was given credit for a shot, but Bubonja made the stop to keep it scoreless.

For the game, UIC held the 10-to-6 shot advantage and three to one edge in corner kicks. The Panthers were also whistled for 23 of the 33 fouls in the match.