Aug. 19, 2009

Box Score

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Sophomore Evan Bartzis and freshman Andrew Wiedabach each scored a goal in the second half to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Wednesday night at Ralph Korte Stadium. The Panthers dominated the stat sheet against the Cougars in the 2009 exhibition opener for both teams.

"Tonight was a great collective effort," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "We had a lot of guys play in the game and quite a few played exceptionally well. We are still battling injuries and had several players step up. This was a real test with our backs against the wall, on the road, especially after going down 1-0. We showed a lot of character and resiliency and got the result. This was definitely something to build on."

Down 1-0 well into the second after SIUE scored at the 34-minute mark, the Panthers finally found results in the scoring column. Wiedabach tallied his first collegiate goal next, tying the match at 1-1 at the 60:37 mark on a short diving header assisted by a nice pass from sophomore Eric Frazier.

UWM kept the offensive pressure on, as Frazier put three more shots on goal in the next 15 minutes before sophomore Aaron Gibbons served Bartzis for a one-touch volley and the winner at the 75:26 mark.

Despite being down 1-0 at intermission, Milwaukee had outshot the Cougars nine to four and forced four corner kicks to none for their opponents in the first 45 minutes. SIUE keeper Scott Meyer kept UWM off the board with six saves.

The final statistics were just as lopsided for the match, as UWM held a 16-to-7 shot advantage and a 5-to-2 edge in corners. Frazier ended with a six shots, including three on goal, with both totals ending as game-highs. Fourteen of the 20 fouls called in the game also went against the Panthers.

Sophomore Sam Alexander and freshman John Shakon split the time in goal, with Alexander playing the second half and earning the victory. Neither goalkeeper was called on to make a save, as the Panther back line looked sharp all night.

"You have to give credit to the back line," Coleman said. "They were solid and the defense as a group, collectively, was tough to beat tonight. It took us a bit to grind it out and find our way, but we brought the right attitude, especially in the second half."

The exhibition slate continues with a home game on the weekend, as Milwaukee welcomes Wisconsin-Whitewater to Engelmann Field Sunday, starting at 5 p.m.