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Same story … yet again
Detroit sub knocks in winner in Panthers’ Horizon League opener
By Tim Elliott
Flying high after their exhilarating win over Marquette, the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee men’s soccer team took its momentum to Detroit for its Horizon League opener Sept 15.
The Titans were the favorite in the match as they were picked to finish first in the Horizon League in the coach’s preseason poll. The Titans received 44 points in the preseason poll while the Panthers received 43.
After being edged by one point in the polls, the Panthers were edged by one goal in the contest, losing 2-1. Despite out shooting the Titans 21-10, the Panthers failed to find the back of the net a second time.
“It just seems like the same old story of late,” said head coach Jon Coleman. “We just couldn't finish our opportunities even though we were creating numerous chances.”
The Panthers conceded the first goal in the first half. After the break, the Panthers scored the equalizer as senior Billy Meier notched his first goal of his UWM career. In the 58th minute, senior Craig Mallace sent a free-kick into the goal box where Meier leapt and headed the ball just inside the far post.
Detroit’s Kyle Gianotti was in the game less than minute, subbing in for the Titans in the 66th minute, before he scored the game-winning goal.
For the majority of the game, the Titans played a man down after Alex Kawalit was issued a red card in the 26th minute. The Panthers dominated, but could not take advantage of Detroit’s weakness.
Even though the Panthers have gotten off to a rocky start (3-5-0, 0-1 in the Horizon) Coleman remains optimistic.
“This officially caps the first half of the season,” Coleman said. “We have been OK so far, but the second half we are going to be unbelievable.”
Senior Eric Mickshl made his second consecutive start in the net and recorded four saves. Along with dominating the shots on goal category, the Panthers earned six corner kicks while the Titans had none.
This loss marks the second year in a row the Panthers were defeated by the Titans in the regular season. Last year, the Titans snapped the Panthers’ winning streak of defeating conference opponents at home, which stood for nearly five years.
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