MILWAUKEE – Dominic Zuniga scored in the 83^rd minute to help the Milwaukee men's soccer team pick up a 1-1 draw against Eastern Illinois Friday evening at Engelmann Stadium.
 
The MKE Panthers (0-2-2) extended their unbeaten streak at home to 11 consecutive contests (6-0-5) dating back to last season after finding the late equalizer against the EIU Panthers (0-3-1).
 
"I will say, Eastern was sharp, their possession was very good," head coach Kris Kelderman said "We had difficulties – especially in the first half – just finding the game. I thought we got better, and the intensity picked up in the second and we started going forward with a little more vigor. Safe to say, we are not very pleased with the performance that we had today. I think we still have better soccer in us. We are challenged with finishing some opportunities – we had a couple of good ones in the game today. We just have to keep plugging away."
 
The first half saw only a handful of quality chances either way, with the visitors picking up their goal off a penalty kick after a foul in the box in the 27^th minute.
 
"I thought the second half was much better than the first half," Kelderman said. "We came together at halftime and all agreed that was a very underwhelming first half on our end. No disrespect to Eastern Illinois, but the goal they got was a silly foul on our part that gave them a penalty kick, and it was kind of their only chance in the first half."
 
That was how it would go to the break, with stats nearly dead-even going into the locker room: shots were 6-6, saves were 2-2, and corner kicks were 2-1 in the favor of Eastern Illinois. MKE's best chance came on a through ball from Bienvenu Djunga in the 23^rd minute, with Jack Bretzmann's shot from the top of the 18 getting turned away.
 
The home side came out much stronger in the second half and continued to build while playing solid defense as well. Nic Diana came up each time he was called upon, finishing with five saves the rest of the way.
 
A free kick from the wing almost snuck in, with Zuniga nearly getting on the board much earlier in the 59^th minute on a rocket attempt.
 
Getting late, the Panthers took advantage of big opportunity to find a way. Diana actually started the scoring play, sending a long free kick to Fernando Pirry in the 83^rd minute. His shot was deflected over the bar with an impressive save, setting up a corner kick.
 
The corner turned out ideal, as Miguel Rivera Cardona floated one to the far side of the box, where Zuniga redirected just inside the far post at the 82:22 mark to make it a 1-1 contest.
 
Both teams were able to produce one more shot apiece, but neither was on target and the game ended in the deadlock.
 
On the day, the visitors edged out a 17-16 advantage in total shots, while MKE had the 8-6 advantage in shots on goal. Milwaukee also had seven of the 11 corners. Zuniga led the way with four shots, with Bretzmann recording three in his first collegiate start.
 
Up next, the Panthers remain at home for next week, hosting Chicago State Tuesday before opening up Horizon League play against Cleveland State Saturday. Kickoff against the Cougars midweek is slated for 7 p.m.