Sept. 8, 2007

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team could not overcome a quick start by No. 9 UC Santa Barbara Friday night, falling 2-0 at Harder Stadium. The Panthers (0-3-0) outplayed the Gauchos (1-1-1) in the second half, but could not find a way to upset the defending national champions.

"They put us in a hole early on and it was tough to overcome," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "Against a resilient team like Santa Barbara, you really don't want to dig a hole early on. But I think it was a tale of two halves. They got us in the first half - they got their opportunities and put them in the back of the net. We got our opportunities in the second half to get back in the game - we hit the cross bar, missed a couple of other chances - but I give it up to our guys. We showed a lot of character, we fought hard."

Milwaukee seemed to find its offensive stride in the second half, outshooting UCSB seven-to-five after intermission. The team also had numerous chances in the final 10 minutes of the game. The closest came with less then seven minutes left, when freshman Greg Rosenthal sent one off the cross bar from just outside the six-yard box after a corner kick from senior Martin Castro.

Senior Ken Ogorzalek had a chance in the 82nd minute, but his shot to the near post from just outside the 18-yard box went just wide after being deflected. Rosenthal also had a 25-yard blast saved with less then 30 seconds remaining.

"I think if we score in that last seven minutes, we have them on their heels and maybe make a push and get back in the game," Coleman said.

Junior goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum made three saves in the second half to keep it close, including a diving stop of a blast from the corner of the penalty area with 25 minutes remaining. He also stopped a three-on-one situation by himself in the 80th minute, taking the ball away from Tony Chianakwe by coming off his line and challenging the breakaway situation.

UWM could not muster much offense in the first half, as it was not credited with an official shot in the first 45 minutes. The team did have a few opportunities on free kicks and a corner kick, but could not get anything to develop.

UCSB tallied the first goal in the fourth minute and struck for the second in the 19th to jumpstart the victory.

The first goal of the game was another unlucky one for UWM. The Gauchos started the play with a corner kick that fell to the ground in front of the goal. After a scrum for the ball, Alfonso Motagalvan got a shot off, only to see UWM freshman Calvin Mai clear it off the line. Unfortunately, the rebound went right to Chris Pontius, who recorded his first goal of the season.

UCSB kept up the early pressure, and struck for what appeared to be another goal in the 12th minute, only to have it called off on a hand ball violation. It did make it 2-0 at the 18:57 mark, when Eric Avila dribbled in about 20 yards through traffic and found Tino Nunez at the top of the box. He one-timed it to the top right corner of the net for the two-goal advantage.

Fernstrum was credited with three first half saves, including an impressive stop where he came off his line to stop a breakaway attempt. Freshman Raphael Martinez was also credited with a team save in the first half. Santa Barbara's Bryant Rueckner made two saves in posting the shutout and getting his team its first victory of the season.

For the game, UCSB held the 13-to-seven shot advantage and the six-to-three edge in corner kicks. The Gauchos were also whistled for 24 of the 43 fouls in the match and received three of the five yellow cards.

Milwaukee continues its weekend trip in California with a drive north to take on Cal Poly on Sunday. The game against the Mustangs is scheduled for a 3 p.m. CST start.