Oct. 1, 2010

Box Score

DETROIT, Mich. - Junior Tony Maxey scored in the 73rd minute to get the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team within one goal, but it was not enough in falling, 2-1, to the University of Detroit Friday afternoon at Titan Soccer Field. After finding themselves down two goals early in the second half against the Titans (3-5-1, 2-1-0 Horizon), the Panthers (2-5-2, 1-2-0 Horizon) dominated the run of play and possession the rest of the way, but could not find the equalizer despite 10 second-half shots.

"I really don't know why we came out so flat, it's really difficult to put a finger on it," UWM head coach Chris Whalley said. "We passed the ball reasonably well at times, possessed it, but ultimately we made a couple of mistakes in the game that cost us. But shots don't win games - goals win games - and our finishing just isn't good enough."

The Panthers had numerous scoring opportunities, including several after Maxey's goal. Freshman Jordan Record had a chance to send it to overtime in the 89th minute, but his close-range attempt in the box was stopped with a diving save at the post by UDM keeper Brandon Waterstradt.

"We had some poor attempts on goal and only made their keeper make four or five saves," Whalley said. "Right now our shot percentage is just not good enough. You can have as many shots as you like, but it's the ones that go in the goal that count."

Junior Ross Van Osdol had a crack in the 87th, but his attempt after quality buildup from freshman Robbie Boyd and sophomore Andrew Wiedabach went just high. Record had another shot saved in the 82nd minute and Boyd's shot from the top of the 18 was stopped by a Detroit team save just earlier. All in all, Milwaukee had eight attempts at the tying score in the final 16 minutes of play, but could not find the back of the net.

Maxey scored his first goal of the season at the 72:59 mark, heading in a quality end line serve at the near post from Van Osdol on a free kick earned by Boyd.

That made a game out of it after Detroit had jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals in the 40th and 52nd minutes. The Panther offense was not clicking in the first half and the defense allowed the Titans to score on what ended up as their only quality chance before intermission.

"Maybe as a coach, I need to do more to get these guys motivated," Whalley said. "Challenge them more and get them motivated. But right now, the way we came out today was just not good enough. We didn't come out with the same intensity or energy that we did against Valparaiso and Butler, and ultimately, we were punished for that by a team I feel we should have beaten."

The second goal was tough to swallow, as Sam Seppo beat the UWM back line and charging goalkeeper to a high 50-50 ball and proceeded to easily chip it into the wide open net to make it 2-0 at the 51:04 mark.

"We did wake up after the two goals," Whalley said. "We became a lot more passionate, a lot more committed and we scored a good goal. But we also missed a couple of very good chances. At this level, you can't afford to give up two goals to any team. That's our issue right now. We are just making too many silly, silly mistakes."

For the game, UWM again dominated the stat sheet, outshooting the Titans by a count of 17-to-11 while also holding the six-to-one advantage in corner kicks. Robbie Boyd and senior Greg Rosenthal each recorded a team-high three shots on the day. Detroit was whistled for 23 of the 32 fouls in the match, which featured five yellow cards.

In goal, Waterstradt ended with four saves, with Detroit being credited for five overall. For UWM, junior Bryce Boyd made the start and played into the 53rd minute in making one save. Sophomore John Shakon made one save in 37-plus minutes and the Milwaukee backline saved a goal with a team save in the 52nd minute as well.

The team hits the road for game number two of the weekend, traveling to Ohio for a game against Cleveland State Sunday. Game time is set for 12 p.m. CST, with the match currently slated to be available on the Horizon League Network.