Sept. 6, 2009

Box Score
Postgame audio with Coach Coleman

MADISON, Wis. - Junior Robert Refai scored in the 89th minute, but the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team could not come up with the late equalizer in falling, 2-1, to Virginia Tech Sunday at the Middleton Sports & Fitness Invitational. The Hokies (1-1-1) held just a 1-0 advantage against the Panthers (1-2-0) until the 77th minute, when Charlie Campbell's tally ended up serving as a critical insurance goal.

Refai scored after a combination of touch passes from sophomore Ross Van Osdol and freshman Cody Banks, beating the VT keeper from about 15 yards out at the 88:13 mark.

UWM had a chance less than 30 second later, but keeper Brendan Dunn barely beat sophomore Eric Frazier to the opportunity in the box after a through ball at the top of the penalty area. The shorthanded Panthers, playing without several key injured players, were in search of a tournament crown after being the only team in the event to secure a victory on Friday.

"The team fought hard and that is what we are looking for," Milwaukee head coach Jon Coleman said. "Every game is going to be a battle. We are not out of it until that final whistle and the guys showed a lot of fight and had a never-say-die attitude today. We played well. Some of what we have been displaying in training, we showed that today. We didn't play well enough to get the result, but we did play well against a very good team."

The Panthers nearly had the game tied at one apiece just into the second half, but Frazier's breakaway attempt after a lead pass from freshman Andrew Wiedabach sailed just high in the 48th minute.

The first half contained large stretches of possession for both sides, but nothing of quality besides the one goal. Milwaukee ended with the advantage in shots, 5-to-4, but was unable to put any of them on net.

For the game, the Hokies held totals of 14-to-10 in shots, including 7-to-4 in shots on goal, and forced six of the match's 10 corner kicks. UWM was whistled for nine of the 17 fouls, with Frazier leading the team with three shots. Freshman John Shakon made five saves in defeat.

The season continues with a trip out west to California to play in the Big West Challenge on the campus of Cal State Northridge. The Panthers will play at 3:30 p.m. CST on Friday and Sunday, taking on Cal State Fullerton in their first game and the host Matadors to close out the trip Sunday afternoon.