For the fourth time in as many seasons, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men’s soccer team won the Horizon League Tournament.

The Panthers accomplished the feat after defeating the University of Detroit Titans 1-0 at Titan Field in Detroit.

The win also propels the 13-4-4 Panthers into the NCAA Tournament for the fifth year in a row. The loss ends the season on a disappointing note for the Titans, who lost on their home field to lower their record to 12-6-2.

Junior Dale Weiler was the star of the match for UWM, scoring the lone goal in the 63rd minute in style. Junior Craig Mallace served up a nice ball far-post with his 35-yard free kick, and Weiler rose above the Detroit defense to head the ball into the back of the net.

“It was just an awesome ball by Mallace,” Weiler said. “To be honest, it wasn’t too hard. He put it on a platter and I finished it.”

The goal for Weiler came about an hour after he was nearly sent to the hospital by a Titans player. One minute into the match, Weiler was fouled hard near the UWM bench and remained on the ground for five minutes. An ambulance was summoned, but he eventually made it to the bench.

“It was just unbelievable,” Weiler said. “I think after I got messed up on the sidelines, I just knew I was going to make it back into the game.”

Freshman goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum’s play did not go unnoticed, as his tournament-long shutout earned him Horizon League Tournament MVP. He becomes the first keeper in seven years to post a shutout for the tournament, and just the sixth overall.

The defense had a large part to do with the shutout as well, clearing the ball out of danger numerous times. Coach Louis Bennett appreciated the effort by his defensemen.

“We made some tactical changes that nearly backfired,” he said. “I over-coached and they made up for it by keeping the ball out of the net.”

Fernstrum and Weiler were named to the first team all-tournament, along with senior Neil Dombrowski and sophomore Steve Bode.

UWM heads to the NCAA Tournament and will face Bradley University at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 in Peoria, Ill.

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