The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee mens soccer team played to a scoreless draw against rival Marquette University April 15 at Valley Field. The tie puts the Panthers spring season record at 2-3-1, with four games left to play.

Sophomore keeper Grant Fernstrum anchored the defense, as the Panthers recorded their third clean sheet of the spring season.

We had a lot of people making big contributions in this game, said UWM head coach Jon Coleman. Of course we wanted a win, but the tie was a good outcome.

The Golden Eagles, coming off a dismal 1-15-1 season last fall, could not find the back of the net, a problem for both teams.

Failing to score in regulation and a 10-minute overtime period, the teams convened and chose to go to a shootout. After the first shootout, both teams scored three goals, tying once more.

This was a chance for us to experience a situation that we may face in the regular season, Coleman said. It gave us an opportunity to see who could handle the pressure.

After failing to advance past the quarterfinals of the Horizon League tournament last season, the Panthers hope to get back on track for the fall.

Were a work in progress, said Coleman. Were looking for the big-time players this spring. Were starting to find people that can do some things offensively, which last season, to some extent, wasnt something that really helped us.

Despite tying a team that won only one game last season, Coleman isnt ready to panic just yet.

Were going through a transition and there are some things we need to put extra emphasis on, said Coleman. We put on a gutsy performance against Marquette. We controlled the play, we were relentless and we didnt get frustrated on defense. We just created the problems for ourselves.

The Panthers continue their work in progress as the spring season continues when they head to Chicago to take on the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday.

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