Nov. 9, 2010

Box Score

CHICAGO, Ill. - Willie Koss scored a pair of second-half goals to break open a close game and send Loyola University past the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team in first round action in the Horizon League Tournament Tuesday night at Loyola Soccer Park. The Panthers (6-10-3) outshot the Ramblers (5-10-2) by a count of 12-to-8, but two goals in less than three minutes late in the match turned the tide in the 3-0 decision.

"We didn't play great in the first half but almost got through it," UWM head coach Chris Whalley said. "In the second half, we came out and played really well and showed a lot of passion and character. But, we got countered twice and missed a couple of great chances. The guys went out and can hold their heads high, they showed good fight and commitment and I was proud of the way they played in the second half."

Right out of the intermission the Panthers came out attacking. Junior Ross Van Osdol almost had the equalizer in the 48th minute, ripping a chance to the far post that sailed over the cross bar following a nice pass from freshman Jordan Record that gave him an opening.

A minute later, freshman Robbie Boyd and sophomore Andrew Wiedabach connected on a pair of passes that found Record alone near the penalty spot, but he was unable to get a good attempt off.

Milwaukee kept up the pressure and recorded a pair of corner kicks and shot attempts before Loyola scored again. Koss was able to run on to a long kick and calmly beat the keeper for a 2-0 lead at the 70:31 mark.

The Panthers never gave up and a play following a corner kick ended up putting the game away. Boyd sent in a corner which ended up at Wiedabach's feet at the near post. He volleyed a blast on frame, only to see Peter McKeown make the save - essentially in self-defense. He kicked the ball down the field and Koss was able to take advantage of another opportunity, netting his third goal of the season at the 72:56 mark.

"There are a lot of positives from the season," Whalley said. "Obviously, our ultimate aim wasn't to get knocked out in the quarterfinals. But, we have to take the positives from the season. We doubled the wins total, scored more goals, we got the Milwaukee Cup back and the program is going in the right direction. We have to keep our heads up, keep working hard and we will be successful."