Aug. 30, 2008

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

DES MOINES, Iowa - Hunter Kennedy scored both goals to lead Drake University to a 2-0 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team Saturday night at the Cownie Soccer Complex. The Panthers (0-1) and Bulldogs (1-0) battled it out at day one of the Drake Soccer Classic, playing in what was the season opener for each team.

"Going into the game, we knew it was going to be a dogfight," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "We created some chances early on that could have changed the momentum of the game and controlled the flow but couldn't find the back of the net. After missing a couple, they (DU) took advantage and scored a goal."

Down 1-0 at intermission, the Panther offense had the run of play throughout most of the second half. One of the few times Drake had the ball in its attacking third, they were able to make it a two-goal game in the 73rd minute when Kennedy and Garrett Webb played give-and-go at the top of the box before getting one past senior goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum.

"I think it took us a little while to settle in and when we did, they had already gone up one goal," Coleman said. "In the conditions like this - rugged team, small field - it ended up suiting (Drake) better down the stretch."

The game could have played out much differently early on. UWM had a great chance stopped at the goal line in the 18th minute when sophomore Peter Sanger got past the goalie after a nice lead pass from sophomore Robert Refai. Sanger had what looked like an open net before Bulldog defender Brian Wurst made the last-second save to clear it off the line right at the post and keep the game scoreless at the time.

It was Sanger again who was denied in the 30th minute, getting open on the break but having his 15-yard attempt saved when DU keeper Michael Drozd came off his line to contest the shot.

The Bulldogs then went ahead at the 31:05 mark, scoring when Kennedy was allowed to run free through the penalty area on a 25-yard free kick and head in an easy score at the near post.

Milwaukee tried to battle, almost pulling back into a 1-1 tie in the 39th minute, only to see junior Nicholas Gerard-Larson's 40-yard blast carom just off the left post and back into the field of play. After a foul, Sanger quickly played the ball to Gerard- Larson, who surprised everyone with the shot from near midfield, easily making it past the keeper before hitting the post.

Fernstrum played well, making several nice saves in the first half, starting with one in the 15th minute when he punched a close-range shot from Ted Schliesman up-and-over the cross bar. He ended the night with seven saves, making another brilliant stop in the second half on a diving save of a 20-yard free kick in the 53rd minute. Drozd made seven saves of his own to record the shutout.

Drake outshot the Panthers, 14-to-10, and also led in the shots on goal department by a 9-to-8 count. Both teams forced five corner kicks, with UWM recording eight of the 15 fouls.

Milwaukee continues its weekend of play in the Drake Soccer Classic with a 5 p.m. game against Missouri State Sunday. The Bears (0-1) started their campaign with a 1-0 loss in their opener to SIU-Edwardsville Friday.