MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The Milwaukee men's soccer team nearly came through with an equalizer late in dropping a 1-0 decision to Robert Morris Saturday afternoon at the North Athletic Complex.
 
With time running down, the Panthers (3-2-3, 0-2-1 Horizon League) made a late surge to create a final push against the Colonials (4-3-2, 2-0-1 Horizon League). The offense was able to produce chances with two corner kicks and was close, but Alejandro Martinez's 86^th-minute shot opportunity struck the left post and stayed out of the back of the net.
 
It was a test of the defense early for Milwaukee, which had to endure the first eight shots of the afternoon, with Daniel Ibarra making a pair of saves to keep it scoreless.
 
Bienvenu Djunga finally gave MKE a decent look in the 32^nd minute, saved nicely by the RMU goalkeeper. The home team would then strike for what turned out to be the decisive blow, taking advantage of a chance at the 32:02 mark for the 1-0 advantage.
 
The deficit was nearly short-lived, as the Panthers almost knotted the score just 33 seconds later, only to see Ryan Berghauer's attempt get saved. The offense also had a good surge in the 42^nd minute, earning a corner kick. Berghauer again had his header saved off the CK, but Martinez was not able to square up the rebound on target.
 
That late press to find a goal produced corner kicks in the 85^th and 86^th minutes, culminating in a near-epic finish only to see Martinez's shot bang off the post.
 
For the day, RMU earned advantages of 19-7 in overall shots, but just 5-3 in shots on goal. The Colonials also had nine of the 13 corner kicks and 58 percent of possession. Martinez led MKE with three shots; Ibarra was credited with four saves on the day.
 
Up next, the Panthers return home to open a two-game stretch at Engelmann Stadium. Up first is a step out of league play to welcome Drake Tuesday, set for a 5 p.m. kickoff.