Oct. 3, 2008

Box Score |  Quotes

DETROIT, Mich. - Freshman Eric Frazier scored in the 74th minute to help the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team earn a 1-1 tie against the University of Detroit Mercy Friday afternoon at Titan Field. The Panthers (3-3-4, 0-1-2 Horizon) outshot the Titans (2-6-1, 1-1-1 Horizon) by a 19-to-14 count for the match and remain unbeaten in overtime this season, but had to settle for their fourth tie of the year.

"To come back again from behind shows a lot of character in this team," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "It shows a lot of resilience and the fact that they believe in what we are doing and they believe in each other. There have been moments in games where we have been down, but found a way to get back in it. Again tonight, we had an opportunity to win the game and I think that is going to come."

Neither team had any dangerous or quality scoring opportunities in the extra periods. After 18 shots in regulation, Milwaukee recorded just one in the 20 minutes of OT, with Frazier volleying a shot high from the top of the 18-yard box with time running out in the match.

Senior Grant Fernstrum made six saves, including two in extra time, to earn the draw. He made a nice stop of a low volleyed attempt by UDM's Matt Spencer in the 97th minute and another in the 103rd.

The Panthers were the more-dangerous team in the second half, getting off 10 shots to just four for Detroit, and tied the match in the 74th minute.

Senior Adam Skalecki took possession near midfield and carried the ball towards the goal. After dribbling through the defense, his centering pass found Frazier at the wing of the 18-yard box. Frazier settled the ball and fired, netting his team-leading fourth goal of the year.

The team pressed forward in the final minutes, recording shots in the 83rd minute when freshman Ross Van Osdol ripped a 25-yarder just over the cross bar and in the 87th minute when freshman Evan Bartzis beat the Titan back line to a ball but was not able to get much on the shot.

"Overall, I think we created some really good chances," Coleman said. "I think the execution at those moments, during those times, needs to be with a little more clarity and savvy to take advantage of those. Guys are getting in good position but we just need to capitalize on those."

UWM actually thought it had tied the game in the 53rd minute. Senior Travis Phillips sent in a long serve to the far post, finding sophomore Robert Refai in stride. His shot found the back of the net for the apparent equalizer, but the goal was waved off on a disputed offsides call.

The Panthers had a couple of quality chances in the first half, but UDM keeper Bryan Kloss was able to come up with impressive stops each occasion.

In the 12th minute, Frazier played a long thru ball to sophomore Peter Sanger down the left sideline. Kloss came charging off his line and made a close-range stop on Sanger's attempt. The ball than rebounded to Frazier, but his attempt was also saved by Kloss, who had gotten back to the front of the goal in time to keep the shot out of the net.

Kloss then made back-to-back saves on two shots from within the six-yard box in the 25th minute, preventing goals on attempts from freshman Nick Dundon and on a rebound shot by Refai.

The only score of the first half came when a lucky break turned unlucky for Milwaukee. The Titans had the ball near the top of the 18-yard box and Ali Youssef sent a high shot on net. His attempt hit the cross bar and dropped straight down without going in, but the ball was not able to be cleared before Renato Susnja put in the rebound to make it 1-0 at the 15:07 mark.

In addition to the shot advantage, the Panthers also had more on target (10-to-7). Detroit forced more corner kicks (6-to-2) and was also whistled for more fouls (25-to-18).

Milwaukee closes out the weekend with another league game Sunday, playing Cleveland State in a contest set for a 2 p.m. CST start.