Aug. 31, 2008

Box Score |  Quotes

DES MOINES, Iowa - Senior Grant Fernstrum made five saves and freshman Evan Bartzis gave the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team an early lead, but Missouri State came right back to tie and force overtime Sunday at the Drake Classic. The Panthers (0-1-1) and Bears (0-1-1) each had chances in the extra periods, but neither team could come up with the golden goal.

"We just have to be better at protecting a lead because I know we can do it," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "We're definitely a team that can stop opponents from scoring. At the same time, I think we created enough chances to win the game - we just need to take better care of those."

Fernstrum was credited with five saves, including a sprawling one on a Missouri State breakaway with less than five minutes remaining in the second overtime to preserve the draw.

"He gave us a lot of confidence in the back," Coleman said. "We definitely got tired, got fatigued, but guys dug in and found that `Panther Pride' and it showed through."

Unfortunately, Milwaukee also saw its overtime "jinx" get extended to 19 games, as it remains without a victory in the stretch, going 0-7-12 in extra time dating back to 2004.

UWM had a chance to score before the end of regulation, but Missouri State goalkeeper Alex Riggs made a great one-handed save of a close-range shot by Bartzis in the 84th minute to keep it at 1-1 on the scoreboard.

Most of the second half was spent in the midfield, with the two squads combining for just seven shots in the period. Scoreless well into the second half, Milwaukee broke through for the first goal of the game at the 57:43 mark.

The goal was all Bartzis, as he stole a an errant back pass near the top of the 18-yard box, made a move to dribble around the goalkeeper who had come off his line and poked an uncontested shot into the back of the net for his first goal in a Panther uniform.

The Bears wasted little time in knotting the score, however, getting a goal in traffic from the top of the penalty area by David Buckenheimer at the 64:19 mark.

The first half was not much of an offensive showcase for either side, as UWM's defense held the Bears without a quality scoring chance, with Fernstrum called on to make just two easy saves.

Milwaukee generated five shots before intermission, with a pair of freshmen coming closest to getting on the board. One of the best chances came in the 24th minute, but newcomer Eric Frazier had his 10-yard volley saved at the near post. Frazier also had a chance in the 29th minute, but his header off a long serve from freshman Aaron Gibbons went just wide.

Bartzis looked to have a goal in the 40th minute, but a team save denied UWM for the second-straight game. Bartzis took a long lead pass and dribbled around traffic and past the keeper, but his low shot at the right post was knocked off line by Bear defender Justin Alford.

Both teams recorded 11 shots, with UWM carrying an 8-to-6 edge in shots on goal. Milwaukee also forced six corner kicks to just one for its opponent and was called for four of the game's nine fouls. Bartzis led the way with four shots.

The Panthers return to action on the weekend, traveling to Madison for Wisconsin's Middleton Sports & Fitness Invitational. They will play Dayton Friday at 5 p.m. and then wrap up the weekend against No. 5 Santa Clara Sunday at noon.

Note: The Drake Classic All-Tournament Team was named after the conclusion of the event Sunday night and UWM was represented by sophomore Greg Rosenthal and freshman Evan Bartzis.