Sept. 29, 2007

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

MILWAUKEE - Freshman Robert Refai scored in the 15th minute, helping the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team to a 1-1 tie with Valparaiso University at Engelmann Field Saturday night. The Crusaders (2-6-2, 0-2-2 Horizon) scored a late goal to send it to overtime, preventing the Panthers (0-8-1, 0-0-1 Horizon) first victory.

"I think it's encouraging," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "I think we are one step closer to getting a win. To get a tie and get one point to start off conference play is good. We created chances tonight and I think it was a good effort by the guys."

The Panthers struck first at the 14:56 mark when Refai was there to clean up a rebound save. Senior Zeke Dombrowski took a feed from senior Tenzin Rampa in the box and ripped a shot on goal. Ryan Schwarz made the diving save, with the ball rebounding back to Dombrowski. He fired again, only to be stopped point-blank. But this time, the rebound went to Refai, who netted the first goal of his UWM career.

The Panthers created plenty of chances all night, outshooting Valparaiso by a count of 24-14 in the match. They had a couple of quality chances in overtime as well. Less than a minute into the first extra period, Rampa got a foot on a cross from the sideline by senior Martin Castro at the far post. He nearly snuck it in, but Schwarz was there to make the stop.

Castro had two shots in a two-minute span in the second overtime, getting behind the wall on a close free kick that almost snuck in. He also had one final attempt as time expired, but his rushed effort went over the crossbar from long distance.

Another close call came with 3:30 left in the second overtime, when a pass from Refai was knocked forward by Valpo, only to have offsides called on freshman Ben Chavers in what would have been a one-on-one rush at the goal.

Milwaukee lost its lead in the 78th minute, when Steve Shivley snuck in a shot after the ball bounced right to him, streaking into the box on an unlucky clearance attempt by the UWM back line.

The Panthers had close calls all night, as Dombrowski nearly had two other goals by himself. He caught the crossbar the 27th minute on a perfect cross from Castro and then hit the post in the 68th minute as well.

"I don't know if it was bad luck, I think we were just a bit unfortunate," Coleman said.

The Panthers do settle for the tie, getting over the hump of the season-opening drought. Junior Ryan Germann was called on to make three saves in the match, including a sprawling stop in the 42nd minute off the foot of Jake Freisinger from about six yards out. Schwarz was credited with nine saves.

The game featured a total of 60 fouls, including 29 called on the Panthers, and eight yellow cards. Besides the shot advantage, UWM also recorded a seven-to-three edge in corner kicks.

Milwaukee returns to league action with a road trip next weekend, playing at Butler Friday and Wright State on Sunday.