Sept. 27, 2009

Box Score |  Quotes (Video)

DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team scored twice in the final 15 minutes to earn a draw against Wright State University Sunday afternoon at Alumni Field. The Panthers (1-7-1, 0-1-1 Horizon) spotted the Raiders (1-5-1, 0-1-1 Horizon) a two-goal lead early in the contest before scoring twice in a span of less than seven minutes in earning the 2-2 decision.

Sophomore Zach Funk ended with a goal and an assist, tying the game in the 83rd minute after setting up freshman Matthew Bewley's goal to get the Panthers on the scoreboard in the 76th minute.

"The guys battled hard today," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "They showed a lot of resilience, they showed a lot of fight and they battled to get back into the game. You could tell this was a Horizon League match and everybody is going to be fighting for points. We are just not doing the little things to prevent the other team from scoring and they are capitalizing on it. Each game is so valuable that we have to make sure we take care of the details."

Milwaukee was by far the more dominant team on the day, outshooting the Raiders by a 19-to-15 count for the game, including a 10-to-1 edge in the second half. It also forced 10 corner kicks to just three for WSU.

"We found some guys that are willing to battle and fight and step up when the opportunity was there," Coleman said.

The overtime periods had a collective nine shots recorded, but only three on goal. Freshman John Shakon made a key save with just seconds remaining in the first overtime and had his teammates help him out to avoid a loss with what would have been just one second remaining on the clock.

Following a 35-yard free kick with under 10 seconds left, Shakon stopped Brian Cothern's shot at the line. The ball bounced back into play, but sophomore Tony Maxey blocked the next shot before junior Greg Rosenthal cleared the ball off the goal line.

Senior Nkuti Ndely gave UWM it's best shot at victory in the second overtime, but his close-range header off a well-placed cross from Maxey went just wide in the 106th minute.

Down 2-1 at the time, Funk found himself in the six-yard box unmarked when Rosenthal's serve hit off the cross bar and bounced right to him where he was able to finish at the 82:48 mark.

Earlier, Funk was able to get a shot off in traffic from about eight yards out. That attempt was saved by the keeper, but rebounded back out to Bewley. After collecting the ball with his back to the goal, he turned and finished to the near post for his first collegiate goal.

UWM had numerous chances to end it in regulation, but were not able to find the back of the net. Bewley sent a 20-yard shot just high at the 88-minute mark and also nearly scored on a 20-yard crack from the left flank with about 12 minutes remaining.

Ndely just missed a low shot at the post off a corner kick in the 81st minute while sophomore Pedro Mejia also had two decent chances, but sent opportunities high in the 53rd and 81st minutes.

UWM had some opportunities in the first, but the muddy, wet field did not make it easy for the offenses. The Raiders took the early momentum away, scoring two goals in the 30th and 36th minute to take the early advantage.

UWM will continue the conference season with a weekend homestand, welcoming Cleveland State and Detroit to Engelmann Field on the weekend. The Panthers and Vikings will kick off 7 p.m. Friday and then Milwaukee will play the Titans at 1 p.m. Sunday.