Box Score

  

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Oct. 1, 2011) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team scored two late goals to nearly overcome a 3-0 deficit, but fell short in dropping a 3-2 decision to Cleveland State Saturday evening at Engelmann Stadium.

Despite a 3-0 deficit, the Panthers (5-5, 2-1 Horizon) did not relent in the attack. Cody Banks converted a penalty kick in the 87th minutes and Adam Hutchinson found the back of the net in the final minute of regulation to pull within a goal, but UWM could get no closer in dropping its first league game of the season.

"It was disappointing tonight because we gave up three goals on defensive mistakes, but ultimately missed a lot of chances," Milwaukee head coach Chris Whalley said. "We just have to move on from this and realize we are 2-1 in conference play and off to a great start to the conference season. We can't hang our heads."

Three different players scored for Cleveland State (3-6-1, 1-1-1 Horizon) and the defense combined on nine saves as the Vikings snapped a six game winless streak (0-5-1).

Milwaukee came out of the gates on fire, generating a point-blank shot from Keegan Ziada in just the fourth minute that was saved by Brad Stuver, but CSU struck for a goal against the run of play with a quick counter-attack. Manuel Conde found Aaron Adkins down the sideline for a long run. Once inside the box, Adkins slotted the ball into the goal at the far post.

Cleveland would strike again before halftime, as Zach Ellis-Hayden finished off an assist from Admir Suljevic in the 36th minute, for a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Despite a renewed Panther attack, the Vikings were able to add a third goal, this time an unassisted score by Suljevic.

On the other end of the field, Stuver came up with a number of critical saves to beat back the Milwaukee offense. In a four-minute span, he turned away a Ziada blast at the near post and stopped strong shots from Gerardo Saavedra and Robert Refai to keep UWM off the board.

In the 71st minute, Nick Langford looked like he'd end the shutout, beating Stuver to a loose ball at the top of the penalty area. Unfortunately, his chip over the keeper was stopped before the goal line by a CSU defender.

Milwaukee pushed forward in the closing minutes, essentially scoring off a corner kick in the 87th minute. After a fierce battle in the box, the ball was cleared away, but play stopped. After a conference amongst the officials, yellow cards were issued to Stuver and UWM's Richard Johnson, while the Panthers were also awarded a penalty kick.

Banks stepped up to the spot and calmly found the back of the net, reinvigorating the attack. Milwaukee spent the closing minutes on the offensive, pulling within one on Hutchinson's tally with just 51 seconds remaining.

A CSU foul, gave UWM a free kick just outside the box on the near side. The ball was played into the box with back-to-back Panther shots on goal saved. Hutchinson was able to pounce on a loose ball and boot it into the net to pull Milwaukee within one at 3-2.

The Panthers finished the game with a 19-14 advantage in shots, including 11-6 in shots on goal. They also forced eight corner kicks, while conceding three.

Josh Rohde got the start in goal for the third-straight game for UWM and made three saves. Meanwhile, Stuver finished with eight saves to go with one team save.

Milwaukee returns to action Tuesday with a mid-week non-league match at Michigan State.