The Milwaukee men's soccer team will begin the quest for its sixth Horizon League Tournament Championship and 10th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history Monday, welcoming Detroit Mercy in a postseason first-round matchup at Engelmann Stadium. The contest will get underway at 7 p.m.

As the No. 3 seed, the Panthers host the sixth-seeded Titans. Monday's other game pits #4 Wright State against #5 Cleveland State. Every seed from No. 2-7 was on the line with just one regular-season game remaining Friday. The Panthers could have finished anywhere from two to five, but helped take matters in their own hands with a 2-0 win over Oakland. See page 10 of this release for the complete bracket of the tournament. Monday's affair will have an ESPN3 feed with Matt Menzl on the call as well as live statistics. Check out the Milwaukee website for all links.

Winners from the two games Monday advance to the semifinals at UIC, where the top-seeded Phoenix and No. 2 seeded UIC Flames await in the semifinals. UIC will serve as host after Green Bay deferred hosting rights.

The Panthers lead the series against Detroit by a count of 16-9-4, but the action has been pretty even of late. The teams have gone back-and-forth (UWM won, 3-1, in 2017), with Milwaukee holding a slim 7-5-2 since the 2005 campaign. It was a long streak of Milwaukee dominance prior to that, claiming wins in eight consecutive games from 1998-2004.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT:
DETROIT MERCY: The Titans come into play at an even 7-7-3 overall on the season, grabbing the final spot in the Horizon League Tournament courtesy of a 2-1 win over Cleveland State in the finale Friday. That snapped a late-season slide of four games in which the team did not post a win (0-3-1).

Tyler Moorman leads the offense with 24 points (11G/2A), a number that checks in tops in the Horizon League. Spiro Pliakos is second with 15 points (7G/1A). In net, Robbie Beckwell has played 14 games, posting a 1.30 goals-against average and four shutouts.

Detroit Mercy returned nine of 11 starters from a season ago, including past All-Horizon League performers in Moorman and Pliakos. The Titans enter their eighth full season under head coach Nicholas Deren and finished 3-10-4 overall (1-6-2 in league play) in 2016.

POSTSEASON UNDER KELDERMAN
Kris Kelderman has his team in the postseason for the fifth time in his six years at the helm, including the title in a memorable 2013 postseason run. Overall, his team has gone 2-3-1 in the Horizon League Tournament. The last appearance was a tough 2-1 overtime loss on the road in the semifinals at UIC in 2016.

The Panthers start the trek to what would be a 10th NCAA Tournament appearance (2013/2005/2004/2003/2002/2001/1990/1980/1979).

PEAKING LATE
A look at the Panthers performance the past few weeks has been quite impressive. The 3-2 win Oct. 14 came against a Wright State squad that was in first-place in the league standings and ranked No. 8 in the United Soccer Coach Great Lakes regional poll. It was also a game where UWM trailed by scores of 1-0 and 2-1 before coming back each time. The victory at Cleveland State Oct. 7 came against a Viking squad that had not lost a league game to that point in the season. Also, the triumph over Northern Kentucky Sept. 30 snapped the eight-game unbeaten streak of the Norse and also handed them their first conference loss of the fall.

More recently was a road game at Detroit Mercy where UWM fell down, 1-0, on a penalty kick. No worries ... three unanswered goals later the team claimed the 3-1 win. The 3-0 shutout of IUPUI made it five league wins in a row and has moved the squad from last place (following an 0-3 start in conference play) all the way up to third.

Six in a row came in the finale at Oakland, a 2-0 victory. That marked the first time UWM has won six league games in a row since reeling off a perfect 7-0 conference slate in the 2002 campaign.

FREDDY GETTING STINGY
Freddy Lorenzen is having himself quite a freshman campaign, starting the week No. 2 in the Horizon League with his 0.94 goals-against average and tops with eight shutouts. Two of those came against Wisconsin and IUPUI, earning Lorenzen Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week honors for the third time this season. With more than two games possibly remaining, the program record of 10 shutouts (held by three players) is still within reach. Liam Anderson was the last to do it, recording 10 clean sheets in 2013.

SUPER SUB
Redsirt freshman Ryan Berger was called into action against Oakland in the league finale Nov. 3 after starting goalkeeper Freddy Lorenzen exited with injury. He came up big-time, earning the victory with six saves in his 37-plus minutes of action while the Panthers turned a 0-0 deadlock into a 2-0 win in front of him.

TAKING NOTICE
The Panthers have been playing well and found their way into the United Soccer Coaches Great Lakes Regional, coming in at No. 10 in Week 8. Week 9 saw a rise to No. 9 and last week, UWM stepped up to No. 8 in the region. The next polls come out Tuesday of this week.

GETTING THINGS DONE
Senior Reid Stevenson was honored as the Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week after scoring the go-ahead goal and assisting the final tally in the victory over the Titans Oct. 21. More impressively, he fired off the three shots and recorded the three points in just 24 minutes of playing time.

OVERTIME THRILLER
Evan Conway had an impressive outing against first-place Wright State Oct. 14, scoring the first goal of the game to get UWM back to even at 1-1. He then topped that with the golden goal in overtime, one of his five shots (four on goal) in the contest as the Panthers claimed the important 3-2 victory.

As a result, Conway was named Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week, the second time he has earned the award in his career.

DEFENSE RISING
Behind Freddy Lorenzen - who was named Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season on Oct. 2 - the Panthers posted back-to-back shutouts (Marquette Sept. 26/Northern Kentucky Sept. 30) and clean sheets in three of the past four outings. That marked consecutive blankings of opponents for the first time this season and the first run of three out of four in a calendar year (end of September 2016/Belmont 1-0/Bradley 2-0/Western Illinois 2-0).

KING OF THE ATTACK
The Milwaukee offense continues to click, and is starting to find the back of the net at the rate it likes better than earlier in the season. Finding shot attempts has not been an issue, currently second in the Horizon League at a clip of 16.1 per game. In fact, Milwaukee currently ranks 8th in the nation in shot attempts per game, after been ranked consistently in the Top 5 and as high as No. 1 earlier this season (Seattle is currently No. 1 at 20.0).

THE BATTLE FOR THE MILWAUKEE CUP
Milwaukee and Marquette play for the "Milwaukee Cup", one of the longest-standing rivalries in all of college soccer. In fact, in the summer of 2011, the College Soccer News website published a list of what they called "The Fourteen Greatest Rivalries in College Soccer." Weighing in at No. 10 on their list was the Milwaukee Cup.

The Panthers certainly have the upper hand all-time, now holding a 29-11-5 record in the series after returning the Cup home with a 2-0 win Sept. 26. They have posted back-to-back wins recently, reclaiming the Cup in 2010 with a 4-2 victory and keeping possession in 2011 with a 2-1 final score.

The 2012 matchup remains one for the memory books, as the Golden Eagles, trailing the Panthers 2-1 with less than 10 minutes remaining in the contest, pulled off a stunning finish to grab possession of the Cup. Following a goalkeeper miscue, Marquette found the equalizer at the 81:53 mark and then won the contest at the buzzer as the winning goal crossed the line at the 89:59 mark before the horn sounded. The 2013 edition was just as exciting, with the Panthers scoring just 60 seconds into the affair en route to a 2-1 victory over a Marquette squad that was ranked No. 12 at the time.

OVERTIME AGAIN
After playing into overtime on five occasions last season, the Panthers had been right back at it in 2017. The team played extra time in four of its first six contests this season and used a pair of very-late goals to claim a win against Bradley in a matchup that appeared to be headed to extra time as well.

CHANCELLOR'S CUP DRAMA
The battle for the Chancellor's Cup has seen some thrillers over the years but if it feels like the drama and intensity has been higher lately, you would be correct. It happened again this season, with UWM tying the game with just eight seconds remaining in regulation on a goal by Jonathan Stadler to force overtime before falling. And again last year, with UWM reclaiming the Cup with a thrilling 1-0 victory Oct. 22 on a goal by Magnus Flaatedal.

Six of the past eight occasions these two teams have played, the game has gone into overtime (5 of 7 into double-overtime), with four of the six ending in victories for one team or the other. Four years ago it was an own goal that won it for Green Bay, snapping Milwaukee's 10-game unbeaten streak (9-0-1) to start the 2013 season. The 2012 version ended in a draw but the 2011 edition provided one of the most memorable finishes to a game in program history, with Cody Banks netting the winner at the 109:53 mark.

LEAGUE LIFTOFF
The Panthers are now 21-10-2 all-time in league openers in seasons in which they have been affiliated with a conference. Head coach Kris Kelderman is 2-3-1 in his six seasons, with the team knocking off Oakland in overtime, 1-0, two seasons ago. The Panthers fell to UIC, 1-0, in last year's opener.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
The Panthers played well in the Aces ProRehab Classic (Sept. 1-3), overcoming a 2-0 deficit against Evansville to force overtime before falling while also claiming a 2-0 win over Bradley. In the win against the Braves, Evan Conway scored the game-winner late - coming at the 85:24 mark before UWM would add an insurance strike by Nick Moon. That was a late goal, but just last year there was one netted even later before OT was played. Evan Dujardin was in the right place at the right time against Cleveland State Nov. 4, following up Conway's partially-saved attempt that rebounded to put home the game-winner with just 25 seconds remaining in regulation (89:35). That marked the latest game-winner to the 90-minute mark since the epic 89:59 tally that Pol Narbona netted for the 3-2 win over IUPUI on August 31, 2012.

FOR OPENERS
Milwaukee is now 23-17-5 all-time in season openers following a 1-0 win over Western Illinois to open the 2017 slate. Head coach Kris Kelderman now has seven season openers on his resume at the NCAA Division I collegiate level, going 6-1-0. In addition to the victories over WIU (2017), Eastern Illinois (2016), Evansville (2015), DePaul (2014) and a nationally-ranked Marquette squad (2013), his Green Bay squad topped SIU Edwardsville, 1-0, in 2011.

DANDY DEBUT
Freddy Lorenzen posted a shutout in his collegiate debut, becoming the fourth freshman in the past 16 years to start the season opener in goal for the Panthers (freshman Oliver Haslund was in net a year ago in the 2-1 win at Eastern Illinois). Lorenzen becomes the first keeper to record a shutout in the opener since Kirk Thode made four saves to blank Dayton in a 0-0 draw to open the 2004 campaign. He followed that up with a 1-1 draw against EIU to earn Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week honors for Week 1.

GOAL!
Freshman Henrik Fennefoss scored the first goal of the season for UWM, netting the game-winner late against Western Illinois. In doing so, he became the eighth freshman since 2000 to score in the season opener, joining Antou Jallow (2001), Adam Skalecki (2005), Edison Crespo (2010), Declan Rodriguez (2012), Petter Ingebrigtsen (2014), Matthias Binder (2015) and Francesco Saporito (2015) on that list.

EXHIBITION SEASON REWIND
Milwaukee played a pair of exhibition contests, finishing 1-0-1 (along with a PK shootout win) in that stretch. The Panthers opened the slate with a 2-2 draw against Loyola, before going straight to penalty kicks and claiming a 9-8 decision. Then, in their final tune-up, Milwaukee raced out to a commanding 5-0 lead just minutes into the second half before claiming a 5-3 win over Dayton. Nick Moon and Vuk Latinovich paced the offense with five points (2G/1A), with Latinovich and Reid Stevenson recording a team-best five shots. Five different players netted goals in the two contests. Defensively, Freddy Lorenzen posted a 0.86 goals-against average in 104:26 of game time, making both starts. He added an .857 save percentage and an assist on offense. Greg Baxa saw just over 75 minutes of action, recording four saves. He was also in net when UWM topped Loyola in the shootout, coming up with the final stop.

WELCOME TO MILWAUKEE
There will be plenty of chances for newcomers to make an impression in 2017. A season ago the Milwaukee squad was very young, with 21 of the 26 student-athletes were in their first or second year of playing collegiate soccer. This year, 17 of the 32 student-athletes will be appearing in a Panther uniform for the first time (12 true freshmen and four redshirt freshmen, as well as one transfer who will be sitting out the season).

NOW THIS IS HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
When it comes to home field advantage, the Panthers have historically ranked right up there with the best in the business. From 2001 through 2006, UWM turned Engelmann Stadium into a place visiting teams did not want to see on their schedule, going 49-8-2 in that time. After a few down seasons by UWM standards, the magic is getting brought back - the Panthers have compiled a record of 24-12-6 at home in Kris Kelderman's five years as the head coach heading into the 2017 season.

EXPERIENCED CREW
Four members of the team were honored with postseason awards last year - the most for the Panthers since 2006. In addition to the three earning spots on the All-Horizon League Second Team, newcomer Evan Conway received one of the specialty awards by being selected as the Horizon League Freshman of the Year. Nick Moon, Jonathan Stadler and Francesco Saporito were the trio that picked up second-team accolades, and all three are set to return to the field this fall. In fact, UWM returns 10 players who made at least 10 starts a year ago. Saporito and Moon started all 19 a season ago, while Conway and Sean Reynolds started 18 times. Stadler was next, checking in at 17 starts on the back line. In addition, Sam Glass is back after making 10 starts in goal, posting a 1.15 goals-against average and three shutouts.

ALL IN THE FAMILY
A unique situation takes place this fall on the field for the Milwaukee men's soccer team. For starters, Kris Kelderman will again be the head coach for his son, Jake, for a second straight campaign (Jake redshirted last season). In addition, Marco Fabiano joins the roster this fall. That name sounds familiar, as his dad, Troy, is starting his third season as the UWM women's soccer coach.

PART OF HISTORY
The Panthers and all of the fans jam-packed into Engelmann Stadium for the 'Milwaukee Cup' matchup against Marquette Sept. 3, 2015 became part of history. The 4,030 in attendance not only blew away the old facility record of 3,312 (set in the 2013 'Milwaukee Cup'), but was also the largest crowd to ever watch a collegiate men's soccer game in the history of the state of Wisconsin. UWM now holds the top four spots on the list.

4,030 - Sept. 3, 2015 - Milwaukee 1, Marquette 1 (MKE CUP)
3,312 - Aug. 30, 2013 - Milwaukee 2, Marquette 1 (MKE CUP)
3,256 - Sept. 13, 2006 - Milwaukee 3, Marquette 2 (MKE CUP)
3,000 - Nov. 22, 1980 - Cleveland State 1, Milwaukee 0
2,470 - Oct. 13, 1995 - Wisconsin 2, Indiana 0
2,250 - Sept. 3, 1990 - Milwaukee 0, Evansville 0
2,145 - Oct. 15, 1993 - Indiana 5, Wisconsin 1
2,138 - Oct. 1, 2003 - Wisconsin 1, Milwaukee 0

BRING ON THE CUP
Speaking of the "Milwaukee Cup", it is one of the three traveling trophies that the Panthers play for each and every season. In addition, Milwaukee takes on Green Bay for the "Chancellor's Cup" and also play Northern Illinois for the "LeWang Trophy". Back in 2011, UWM posted wins in all three games (2-1 over Marquette; 3-2 in double-overtime against Green Bay and 1-0 against NIU) to hold all three trophies for the first time since the start of the 2005 campaign.

Jaime Colin helped the Panthers get the LeWang Cup back Sept. 20, netting the only goal of a 1-0 victory on a great individual effort in the first half.

GAME OF INCHES
Outside of a 3-0 loss to a very good Wisconsin squad that rose to as high as No. 20 in the country, the Panthers were actually oh-so-close to a spectacular campaign in 2016. Finishing at 8-8-3, the other seven losses were ALL one-goal heartbreakers for UWM. That followed a recent trend for the Panthers. In 2015, eight of the 10 losses were one-goal setbacks.

NOTHING STOPPING 'EM
The Panthers came together and played very well to end the 2016 season, with a hard-fought 1-1 draw on the road at league-leader Valparaiso Oct. 8 coming on the heels of four consecutive wins. That five-game unbeaten streak marked the best stretch for UWM since a five-game win streak in late 2013 (Oct. 26-Nov. 17).

EARLY MOON RISING
Nick Moon came through pretty quickly against Bradley on Sept. 27 of last season, netting a goal just 1:49 into the contest to set the stage for the 2-0 win. The score was the earliest in a game this season for the Panthers by a wide margin (prior best was the 25th minute) and also marked the earliest goal in any UWM game since Declan Rodriguez hit the back of the netting at the 1:00 mark against Marquette on August 30, 2013 - leading the way to the 2-1 victory over the No. 12 Golden Eagles that day.

COMEBACK OF HISTORIC PROPORTIONS
The Panthers found themselves down, 3-0, before the "Milwaukee Cup" match against Marquette Sept. 14 was even 30 minutes old. No big deal for the squad. With Evan Conway leading the charge, UWM tied the game at 3-3 to force overtime and actually had a couple of chances to grab the win. A look back through the record books shows that this was indeed the first time that the Panthers overcame a 3-0 deficit to post a result in any game. For starters, the reason it is so rare is because UWM has not been down three goals in a game that often in program history. Overcoming even a two-goal deficit does not happen that often ... but the last time it did, it was also a "Milwaukee Cup" matchup. Marquette grabbed a 2-0 lead early in the second half back on September 6, 2006 - the first night game in the history of Engelmann Stadium - only to see the Panthers roar back with the final three goals in the 3-2 win. The only other two-goal deficit overcome to post a win in the past 15 years was a 3-2 win at UIC where Milwaukee trailed, 2-0 on November 3, 2001.

BACK IN THE GOOD GRACES
Milwaukee made an appearance in the National Soccer Coaches Association regional rankings last season, coming in at No. 10 in the Great Lakes Regional Aug. 30. The Panthers last appearance in the regional rankings prior to that came over the first month of the 2014 season after spending nearly all of the 2013 campaign in the Great Lakes Regional poll (and in the NSCAA national rankings as well).

CATCH THEM ANYWHERE
Milwaukee men's soccer will be readily available for the viewing pleasure of UWM fans this season, as eight home games will be streamed live on ESPN3. The Horizon League and ESPN have an agreement that includes ESPN hosting the league's digital network on the ESPN3 platform. ESPN3 is available to nearly 116.3 million homes. In addition, the battle for the "Milwaukee Cup" was aired live on Spectrum Sports.

ON TAP
If the Panthers win, they advance to the weekend in Chicago for semifinals and finals. If they can go on to claim the Horizon League Tournament Championship, they would advance on to the NCAA Tournament next week. Their next loss would end the 2017 season.