Sept. 13, 2009

Box Score |  Quotes (Postgame Video)

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Sophomore Ross Van Osdol scored just 92 seconds into the game but Cal State Northridge tied the match on a penalty kick and went ahead in the 79th minute to escape with a 2-1 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team Sunday at the Matador Invitational. The Panthers (1-4-0) played solid team defense against the Matadors (3-1-0) all game, only to allow the two goals in the second half to drop their fourth one-goal contest of the season.

Van Osdol, making his first start of the season, wasted little time in staking the Panthers to an early lead. After a foul on the wing, sophomore Eric Frazier sent the free kick perfectly to the near post, where Van Osdol sent a header into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.

Frazier nearly made it 2-0 in the first, but his 30-yard rocket was saved with a diving stop at the post by the CSUN keeper Brandon Ibarra at the 30:51 mark. UWM had a flurry of shots in the 40th minute, but could not find the scoring column. Junior Robert Refai had a close-range shot blocked and the rebound came back to senior Nicholas Gerard-Larson. His attempt made it past the keeper but was cleared off the line at the far post just before it crossed the goal line.

The frustrations continued in the second half, as Frazier sent another quality chance just high in the 50th minute.

The Matadors tied the game in the 57th minute on a penalty kick. After a foul just outside the top of the box, the preceding free kick was sent directly at the wall and went off one of the UWM defenders. A hand ball was called, and Sunghyun Kim converted at the 56:04 mark to make it 1-1.

After a back-and-forth second, Cameron Sims took advantage of a defensive miscue late in the game, beating the back line to a breakaway one-on-one situation that he converted at the 78:30 mark.

Freshman John Shakon made several key stops to keep the game close, ending with a season-high nine saves. He made a brilliant stop with just over 20 minutes to play to keep it 1-1 at the time, diving to stop a low, close-range attempt after CSUN had gotten behind the back line of defense. Ibarra ended with four saves in recording the victory.

For the contest, Cal State Northridge ended with leads in shots and shots on goal by counts of 22-to-14 and 11-to-6. Milwaukee forced eight of the 12 corner kicks in the game and was whistled for 14 of the 31 fouls. Frazier ended with a team-high four shots, two of which were on target.

Milwaukee did have three players make the all-tournament squad, as Van Osdol and freshmen Cody Banks and Andrew Wiedabach all were selected for the team.

UWM will open the home season next, hosting the 36th Annual Panther Invitational Sept. 18-20. The team takes on No. 6 UC Santa Barbara Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Engelmann Field to start the home slate.