Oct. 3, 2010

Box Score

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Sophomore John Shakon recorded the shutout and freshman Jordan Record scored the game-winner in the second overtime to send the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team to a thrilling 1-0 victory over Cleveland State University Sunday afternoon at Krenzler Field. With the win, the Panthers (3-5-2, 2-2-0 Horizon) snap the Vikings (4-6-0, 2-2-0 Horizon) school-record home unbeaten streak that stretched over two years and 17 games.

"I am really pleased and really proud of the lads and the character they showed today," UWM head coach Chris Whalley said. "After playing poorly on Friday, the character and confidence they showed was great today. I feel we got what we deserved with the way we played today."

Record tallied the game-winner at the 105:29 mark, burying a short shot in front after a centering touch from senior Peter Sanger. Junior Ross Van Osdol was also involved in the scoring play, recording his team-high fourth assist of the season when he hit Sanger with a long serve to the far post.

"The goal probably summed up our performance today," Whalley said. "Hard work, good technique, Ross put a good ball in play, Peter didn't give up on it and Jordan followed it in."

The win snapped a long streak on CSU's home field, as the Vikings had not lost at home since late in the 2007 season - a streak that saw them go 14-0-3 in the 17 matches.

"It's our second win, on the road, against teams that were in the top four in the conference last season," Whalley said. "That is important. It's always nice to snap a streak and beat a team like that. But, this is our third win of the season - we have won three games and tied two games. So, for me, we have already achieved the win-loss record that we had last year [UWM was 3-13-2 in 2009], now everything we get will be an improvement and show this program has already come a long way."

Shakon got the start and was impressive, recording his second shutout of the season with four saves. He was at his best in the 94th minute with a game-saving stop on CSU's John Wargo. A free kick by the Vikings was headed out, but went right to Wargo on the left wing with no one in front of him. Shakon made the stop on the 15-yard blast to keep the game alive.

"John played well today," Whalley said. "He showed really good character to bounce back. He played well and worked hard on a lot of the things we asked him to improve on. He was a real leader back there and a calm influence. With him and Greg (Rosenthal) back there - two experienced players - we looked a lot more solid today. We kept the clean sheet and were able to get the result."

Shakon also made back-to-back saves in the 41st minute, stopping a breakaway with a deflection and then getting to the post for another save on what looked like a sure score from Aaron Adkins.

Milwaukee made the most of the overtime sessions, recording five of the seven total shots in the periods. UWM also had a great chance in the 81st minute, but junior Aaron Gibbons saw his volley off a long free kick from senior Greg Rosenthal go just over the bar.

Another big moment on defense happened early, when Rosenthal cleared a CSU goal off the line in the seventh minute.

For the game, Milwaukee outshot Cleveland State by a count of 17-to-12, marking the 10th-straight contest UWM has outshot its opponent this season. The Panthers held a six-to-five edge in corner kicks, were whistled for 21 of the 35 fouls and were shown five of the six cards.

Record paced the offense with six shots, four on goal, including his first score of the season. Four other players had two shots each. Brad Stuver ended with seven saves in defeat for the Vikings.

Just one game will be on the schedule next week, but it will be a big one as UWM welcomes Green Bay - scheduled at a brand-new Engelmann Field - for the Chancellor's Cup showdown starting Friday at 7 p.m.