Nov. 6, 2008

Box Score

DAYTON, Ohio - Freshman Eric Frazier scored in the 34th minute to give the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team a 1-0 lead, but it could not hold on when Wright State University scored three unanswered goals late in the match to take the 3-1 victory Thursday night at Alumni Field. The Panthers (4-10-5) see their season come to a close in the first round of the Horizon League Tournament for just the second time in the past nine years, while the Raiders (6-13-1) advance to play Cleveland State Sunday.

Frazier opened the scoring at the 33:19 mark, taking a pass from near midfield off the foot of senior Travis Phillips and converting for his sixth goal of the season. Frazier ran under the ball, settled it with his chest and beat the keeper who had come off his line by chipping it up and over him.

Up 1-0 until late in the game, a miscue on defense allowed Wright State to get its first goal at the 68:03 mark, scoring off a bad pass from the back line that was intercepted. Milovan Milosevic rifled the ball into the net to knot things up at 1-1.

"It's very disappointing that the season is over - especially since we were in control of that game," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "Then, we made a silly mistake and before we could react they scored. It gave them new life ... some hope ... and was a real momentum-changer."

The Raiders rode the momentum swing to another score when Braden Fleak found the back of the net about four minutes later.

"We got a little careless and let Fleak get free and they made it 2-1," Coleman said. "We went in with a good game plan and were prepared but just got sloppy."

The Panthers looked to have an opportunity in the 73rd minute to tie the game, but could not convert on a penalty kick situation. After sophomore Peter Sanger was taken down in the box, Phillips stepped to the spot to try and find the equalizer. It was not to be, as his kick went high over the cross bar.

WSU iced the victory decision just 43 seconds later, as Fleak scored again to make it 3-1.

"We get the PK but sent it over the bar," Coleman said. "They come back and score right away and take control. Soccer is a funny game the way things can change."

In the match, Milwaukee trailed, 13-to-9, in shots and 6-to-2 in shots on goal. UWM held the 3-to-2 edge in corner kicks and was whistled for four of the 12 fouls. Senior goalkeeper Ryan Germann made three saves in defeat and Frazier led the offense with six shots.

"It's a tough way to end, but we saw a lot of progress this season," Coleman said. "After a decent start, we just got into a funk and could never get out of it. The future looks bright, but we will miss the four seniors - Grant Fernstrum, Travis Phillips, Adam Skalecki and Ryan Germann. We really wish them the best. With so many young players getting a lot of minutes for us this season, that experience will allow us to get the Panther soccer program back on track."