Sept. 28, 2011

Box Score | Match Report

MILWAUKEE - Junior Cody Banks volleyed in the game-winning goal with just seven seconds left in the second overtime to send the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Green Bay Wednesday night at Engelmann Stadium.

With just seconds remaining, senior Keegan Ziada sent a final pass deep into Green Bay territory. Freshman Nick Langford headed the ball back to the front of the goal, where Banks was waiting and volleyed it into the back of the net to set off a huge celebration on the field.

"It's obviously a great win, an emotional win coming with, what, seven seconds to go on the clock," UWM head coach Chris Whalley said. "The guys showed great character there at the end. It's been an up-and-down season, we've lost three games when we have been winning late, so maybe, perhaps, our luck just turned a bit. Cody took his chance very, very well in the overtime - Nick and Keegan two great assists there. Just really pleasing."

The Panthers (5-4-0, 2-0-0 Horizon) overcame deficits of 1-0 and 2-1 against the Phoenix (4-3-1, 1-1-0 Horizon), reclaiming the Chancellor's Cup for the first time since 2007 with the dramatic victory.

The goal was the first of the season for Banks and could not have come at a better time. He subbed back into the game just minutes before netting the golden goal.

"Coach Whalley told me `If you get that chance, make sure you take it', and I've been working on my finishing all week and it paid off," Banks said. "It feels amazing winning in overtime like that. I knew Nick is good in the air so I called for it and he did a great job laying it off for me. All I had to do was just put it away."

Down 1-0 and 2-1 in the game, the Panthers played poorly in the first half, allowing two goals before intermission for the first time this season.

"We were poor in the first half," Whalley said. "We didn't compete. Kris and Kyle [Green Bay coaches] had their team up for it and they were better in the first half. We had some harsh words at halftime and I felt like we were two different teams."

It was an early strike in the second that turned the tide, with junior Jamie Bladen picking up a loose ball in the box after a failed clearance by the Green Bay defender and sending a left-footed shot into the back of the net to tie the game at 2-2 at the 48:24 mark.

Freshman goalkeeper Josh Rohde also played well, ending the night with seven saves including a pair of brilliant stops in the first overtime. In the 92nd minute he stopped an absolute blast from about 20 yards from Kirby Allen and then, just 18 seconds later, made a brilliant diving stop at the post.

"He made a couple of big saves for us and I don't think he could have done anything on the second goal," Whalley said. "We're really pleased to have him and fortunately we have two great goalkeepers here in himself and John Shakon."

The Panthers had a few opportunities to win it earlier in the second overtime and sophomore James Ashcroft was responsible for both. With 2:35 to play, his blast from about 30 yards out deflected off a backline defender and nearly went in off the carom, deflecting to the far post and slowly missing by inches. Then, with 84 seconds left, he sent another hard shot at the goal, but GB's Ryan Wehking made the stop.

The Phoenix was the first on the board, with Tony Patterson sending a header into the net at the 13:53 mark. Milwaukee equalized about 10 minutes later, with Langford netting his third goal of the year on a 20-yard free kick that was placed beautifully to the upper-90 of the goal.

Rohde caught an unlucky break when Green Bay went ahead 2-1 when Allen's shot on frame was deflected in front of the goal and snuck in at the 33:18 mark.

For the match, UWM held a 24-to-20 advantage in shots, which included a 10-to-9 edge in shots on goal. Milwaukee also held an 8-to-5 advantage in shots in the overtime periods. The Panthers earned seven of the 11 corner kicks in the match, with each team whistled for 17 fouls. Langford finished with a game-high three points (G/A) and had a team-best five shots. Allen tallied a game-high seven shots with Wehking making seven saves in defeat.

Up next, Milwaukee welcomes Cleveland State to Engelmann Stadium Saturday night, kicking off at 7 p.m.