DeKALB, Ill. - Jaime Colin scored in the 29
th minute and the Milwaukee men's soccer team posted its third shutout victory of the season with a 1-0 decision over Northern Illinois Wednesday night at NIU Soccer Complex.
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"It's always nice to go home with a big trophy," head coach
Kris Kelderman said. "It wasn't an easy game, although I think we definitely deserved the result. We played very well defensively as a unit, starting from the keeper to the back line to the midfield. Everybody worked hard and pulled off a shutout today."
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The Panthers (3-3-2) spent the majority of the second half looking for an insurance goal against the Huskies (3-5-0). Despite numerous chances to add to its advantage, UWM held on to the one-goal victory and took the LeWang Cup back with them to Milwaukee.
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"Very pleased with the opportunities that we produced," Kelderman said of the offense. "We've been doing that game-in and game-out this season. We had some opportunities and probably should have had more than one goal tonight. I think the guys know that. It's frustrating, but we pulled off the victory and that's great."
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Milwaukee had some good buildup on offense early, getting a close header by
Evan Conway off a free kick in the eighth minute and a solid blast saved at the post by
Sean Reynolds in the 13
th.
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Conway was denied again in the 22
nd minute, nearly slotting a through ball from Colin inside the near post.
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It was Colin taking on most of the defense for the only goal of the night. He took possession in the offensive third and kept carrying forward, finding a chance from just outside the 18-yard box. He rifled it to the upper right corner, netting his first of the season at the 28:24 mark.
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The offense kept finding its way in the second half but could not convert.
Francesco Saporito's service was snatched out of the air just before what looked to be a header goal by
Henrik Fennefoss in the 54
th minute.
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Two chances in the 69
th minute came on a short free kick that was blocked out of bounds and a header by
Nick Moon on the proceeding corner kick that went just wide.
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Moon had a couple solid opportunities, running onto a long kick from goalie
Freddy Lorenzen, just unable to chip the charging keeper in the 73
rd minute. He also had a 1 v. 1 chance in the 77
th but was again denied on a brilliant save.
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Conway skimmed the left post after dribbling into the box in the 74
th minute and
Reid Stevenson hit the post in the 85
th following a great buildup by Saporito and
Jonathan Stadler.
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For the game, UWM posted a 14-to-6 advantage in shots (6-to-2 in shots on goal), while earning four of the 10 corners. Conway led the way with three shots on offense. Lorenzen recorded a pair of saves for the shutout.
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Up next, the Panthers host UIC back at home Saturday night, set for a 7 p.m. start under the lights.
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