Sept. 18, 2009

Box Score |  Quotes (Audio)

MILWAUKEE - Waid Ibrahim scored a goal and assisted on the other to help UC Santa Barbara to a 2-0 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team Friday night at the 36th Annual Panther Invitational. The Gauchos (5-1-0), ranked No. 9 in the country, seized important momentum with a 47th minute goal against the Panthers (1-5-0) and then held on from there in the home opener at Engelmann Field.

"I think our game plan going in was good," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "We did a good job of weathering the storm and then started to get a feel and a flow of the game. I think that we showed that we can play with anybody. I think there are a lot of positives that we can take from this game. I think just our execution and discipline down the stretch and in tight games needs to improve."

Milwaukee was the definite aggressor the final 20 minutes, recording each of the final three corner kicks and four shots of the match, but could not find the back of the net. UCSB goalkeeper Sam Hayden was up to the task, stopping all four UWM shots on goal.

Coming out from intermission down just 1-0, the Panthers looked to turn the momentum of the contest in their favor in front of the home crowd. Ibrahim had other plans, tallying the insurance goal just 65 seconds into the second half.

A scoreless battle until the 27th minute, Luis Silva made it 1-0 on a nice give-and-go.

For the game, UC Santa Barbara had the 11-to-9 edge in shots, but UWM did have more on goal by a count of 4-to-3. Both teams had seven corner kicks and the chippy match featured six yellow cards and one red card, all in the second half.

Sophomore Zach Funk led the offense with four shots, but could never catch a break, with several of his good chances getting blocked within close range of the goal. Freshman keeper John Shakon finished with one save.

In the first game of the day, Wisconsin topped Oakland, getting a shutout from its defense and a 69th minute goal in the 1-0 win.

The Panthers will conclude the weekend of action Sunday, as the Badgers and UC Santa Barbara will get things started at noon, while UWM will then play the Golden Grizzlies in a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.