Sept. 2, 2011

Box Score | Match Report

MILWAUKEE - Freshman Gerardo Saavedra and senior Robert Refai each scored second-half goals to help the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team to a convincing 2-0 victory over Western Illinois University Friday night at Engelmann Stadium.

The Panthers (1-1-0) kept up the offensive attack all night against the Leathernecks (0-2-1) in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 1,007 at the 37th Panther Invitational.

"It was really pleasing tonight the way we played," UWM head coach Chris Whalley said. "I thought we got what we deserved. We still got a lot of work to do and a long way to go, but today we dominated the game and got our just rewards from that."

Saavedra netted the eventual game-winner in the 75th minute, burying a 12-yard shot after corralling a loose ball at the top of the box to make it 1-0 for his first collegiate goal.

"It's pleasing, because the boy has not had the easiest year," Whalley said. "He had to redshirt his freshman year, so for him to score a great goal in front of a great crowd, that was really pleasing for him."

Refai would add an insurance marker in the 84th minute, running on to a centering pass from freshman Laurie Bell for his first goal of the season.

Milwaukee dominated offensively all game, finishing with 30 shots - the first time the Panthers have recorded at least 30 shots since tallying 32 in October of 2006.

Junior John Shakon played well in recording the shutout, the ninth of his career. He was credited with just one save in the contest, but it was a huge one. With the game still scoreless, WIU's Husref Jupic got behind the UWM back line for a clear breakaway attempt. Shakon came off his line to make the big stop in the 52nd minute and keep momentum on the side of the Panthers.

"That was massive - it was as good as a goal," Whalley said. "I thought we defended a lot better. John made a massive save there and played like a captain tonight."

Milwaukee came out firing in the first, recording the initial 10 shots of the game over the first 20 minutes of action. Refai came close to breaking through early, volleying a serve from senior Keegan Ziada just over the cross bar in the 12th minute.

Ziada was next, taking a nice combination of passes from Refai and junior Cody Banks on the wing, but Andy Ryan made a brilliant save at the post to keep the match scoreless at the time.

"The lads, we're all humans, and when you miss those chances it's human nature to wonder if it is going to happen," Whalley said. "The big thing for us is the guys believed in themselves after that. I told them `We have some good soccer players here' and we just need to keep doing the right things and sooner or later it will come. We need to keep stepping up."

UWM ended up outshooting the Leathernecks, 30-to-12, overall, forcing Ryan to make six other saves. Ziada tallied a game-high eight shots, with Bell finishing with five and three others with four each. The Panthers also had five of the game's nine corner kicks.

Milwaukee will look to stake a claim to the Panther Invitational team title Sunday, when it takes on Western Michigan in a game set to start at 3 p.m. The Broncos lost a heartbreaker in the opener Friday, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to force overtime, only to fall to Marquette on a goal with seconds left in the second extra session. The noon game Sunday will feature Marquette taking on Western Illinois.