Sept. 19, 2010

Box Score

MADISON, Wis. - Sophomore Andrew Wiedabach scored an early goal and junior goalkeeper Bryce Boyd made seven saves to help the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team earn a 1-1 tie against San Diego State Sunday afternoon in the Wisconsin Soccer Classic. The Panthers (1-3-2) produced plenty of offense against the Aztecs (4-1-1), who came into the game ranked No. 7 in the NSCAA Far West Region, yet had to settle for the draw on a rainy day at McClimon Soccer Complex.

"I am not frustrated about the result because I thought we played very well against one of the best teams we have seen," UWM head coach Chris Whalley said. "In the context of the game, I was really happy with the commitment and the way the boys played. It's one of those things. As long as we keep believing and keep working hard, sooner or later it's all going to come together. But, this is a very positive result against a very good team that came in with a 4-1 record."

The Panthers put eight shots on goal in the overtime periods but a great day in net from SDSU keeper Brad Byrns kept them off the board. Overall, Byrns made 11 saves - including a spectacular diving save to the near post on a 15-yard blast from junior Ross Van Osdol in the 104th minute - to keep UWM from recording the victory.

"The boys worked very hard, but let's be honest, we came up against a very good goalkeeper," Whalley said. "I don't know how many saves he ended up making, but he made several big ones in both halves and especially in overtime."

However, it was a save that Byrns didn't need to make that played into the result as well when a penalty kick by sophomore Cody Banks in the 108th minute went banging off the cross bar and back into play.

"The boy was confident and he wanted to take it, so I have to trust my players," Whalley said. "It didn't work out today but that doesn't take away from a positive result against a very good team."

Wiedabach was the one involved in the foul in the box with SDSU's goalkeeper when the PK was called and also caught an unlucky break 62nd minute as well. He ended up with the ball and a one-on-one situation after a combination of passes from freshman Edison Crespo and junior Ross Van Osdol. After beating the charging keeper with a touch, his shot banged off the left post, keeping it 1-1.

Of Boyd's stops in the contest, none were bigger then the one he made in the first minute of overtime. A cross from the opposite side of the goal found Khadim Diouf by himself past the far post. His 15-yard rocket was headed in when Boyd made a diving save at the 90:50 mark.

In the first overtime, freshmen Kevin Ferron and Crespo combined for five shots, with UWM holding a dominating advantage.

The Panthers had opened the scoring in the ninth minute with an exceptional goal. Wiedabach netted it at the 8:27 mark, taking a touch and finishing after a great serve from the end line by senior Greg Rosenthal. After taking a pass from Banks, Rosenthal found Wiedabach about 12 yards away at the near post and he did the rest, scoring his third of the season.

It stayed that way until near the half, when UWM's defense gave up a handful of successive chances with SDSU's Daniel Steres' heading home the equalizer at the 42:06 mark off a corner kick.

Boyd also made two great saves in the 47th minute, stopping two close-range attempts in a span of just seven seconds, one from each side of the area.

For the game, UWM ousthot SDSU, 25-to-23, with the Aztecs holding the eight-to-five edge in corner kicks and the Panthers having the 12-to-9 advantage in shots on goal. Banks led the way with six shots, with Wiedabach and freshman Robbie Boyd each adding four. Raymundo Reza had a game-high 10 for the Aztecs.

The Panthers are off for the week, next returning to the field for the beginning of Horizon League play. UWM hit the road to take on Valparaiso Friday, starting at 7 p.m.

Late update: The Wisconsin Classic All-Tournament Team was named, as well as offensive and defensive MVP's after Dayton and the host Badgers played to a 0-0 tie.

Team finishes (based on goal differential)
1. Dayton
2. San Diego State
3. Milwaukee
4. Wisconsin

All-Tournament Team
Tyler Picard, Dayton
Jack Pearson, Dayton
Jordan Beckett, Dayton
Marlon Duran, Dayton
Daniel Steres, SDSU
Brad Byrns, SDSU
Jose Altamirano, SDSU
Andrew Wiedabach, UWM
Greg Rosenthal, UWM
Aaron Nichols, UW
Trevor Wheeler, UW

Offensive MVP: Jordan Beckett, Dayton
Defensive MVP: Daniel Steres, San Diego State