Sept. 25, 2009

Box Score |  Quotes (Video)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Freshman John Shakon made six saves, including one on a penalty kick, but Butler University scored with just 23 seconds left in the first half to hand the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team a 1-0 loss in the Horizon League opener for each. The Bulldogs (5-1-0, 1-0-0 Horizon), who entered play ranked No. 10 in the Great Lakes region, handed the Panthers (1-7-0, 0-1-0 Horizon) just their second loss in a league opener since the 2000 season on a rainy day at the Butler Bowl.

"This was one of his (Shakon) best performances," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "That is what we are going to need from the guys, especially in that role and that position. He really responded today. He came today and gave us a top-level performance. We came out a bit flat-footed and gave them too much too early and then when they got the penalty kick he made a phenomenal save and kept us in the game - he kept us in the game nearly the entire 90 minutes."

Milwaukee had several chances late, including the final two shots on goal of the game, but could not find the back of the net. Junior Greg Rosenthal and sophomore Zach Funk had a give-and-go in the 86th minute, but Nick Hegeman made the save. Freshman Andrew Wiedabach also had a chance, but his shot in the 87th minute was also stopped at the line by Hegeman.

UWM also had an opportunity with about 11 minutes left, but was caught offsides after a nice build-up from Rosenthal to sophomore Aaron Gibbons to freshman Cody Banks.

Shakon got things started early, making a spectacular diving save on a penalty kick in the second minute after a UWM defender was called for a trip in the penalty box. BU's Boris Gatzky sent the kick to the upper right of the goal, but Shakon got enough of it to push it up and over the cross bar. The save on the PK was the first for a Panther keeper since Ryan Germann had one against Butler Oct. 5, 2007.

He was on his game all half, making a pair of brilliant saves before intermission on other shots as well. In the fifth minute, following a turnover deep in the attacking third, he stopped a 15-yard blast from Gatzky. Just as impressive was a save in the 34th minute where, despite being shielded by his back line, was able to push rocketed 20-yard shot up and over the cross bar.

Bad timing caught the Panthers in poor position when Butler scored right before intermission. Milwaukee was pushing forward offensively when a ball got deflected and was heading out of bounds before Matt Hedges turned and sent a long through ball down the left sideline. Kyle Pateros was behind the UWM back line and carried the ball towards the goal, scoring on a low shot to the far post from about eight yards out with just 23 seconds left.

It was more of the same in the second half, with Shakon keeping Milwaukee in the game with two more quality stops. In the 46th minute, he made a point-blank save from close range and then tipped a long shot off the cross bar with one hand in the 60th minute.

Butler outshot Milwaukee, 19-to-6, in the match, including a 7-to-2 edge in shots on goal. Corner kicks were 9-to-2 in favor of the home team, while the Panthers were whistled for 14 of the 27 fouls in the contest.

Milwaukee closes out the weekend Sunday, heading to Ohio to play Wright State. The Panthers and Raiders kick off at noon CST.