The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men’s soccer team played to a 2-2 draw against Butler University on Oct. 8, extending the Panthers’ non-losing streak against the Bulldogs to eight games.

The Panthers are 7-0-1 in their last eight contests versus the Bulldogs and improved their overall record this season to 4-8-2. Sophomore Colin Baker scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season in the 53rd minute.

Senior Craig Mallace sent a pass into the Bulldogs’ box where junior Troy Speilmann ripped a shot at the keeper. The Butler keeper stopped the shot, but was unable to regain composure to save the rebound shot as Baker easily scored.

Public enemy No. 1 for the Panthers in this game was John DaVae. The Bulldog forward scored both of his team’s goals, the first coming in the 11th minute and then the game-tying goal in the 66th minute.

"We fought hard to get back into the game and then we fought hard to take the lead," said head coach Jon Coleman. "We kind of got lackadaisical in the back and let them squeak one in."

In the first overtime, neither team recorded a shot on goal. Butler came close twice in the second overtime, missing wide on a header and just missing the post on another scoring chance.

In the 38th minute, the Panthers finally had an answer for DaVae’s early goal. Mallace sent a free kick across the box where junior Zeke Dombrowski sent the ball to the far post with a flick of his head where junior Chris Lins buried the ball into the back of the net with a header.

"Overall we were disappointed," Coleman said. "On our home field we want to win games and we need wins right now — we don't need ties. We need to win games and I think we let one slip away today."

Panther fans held their breath in the 73rd minute when sophomore keeper Grant Fernstrum went down with an injury. Senior Billy Meier, a Bulldog player, and Fernstrum all collided racing for a loose ball. The Bulldog player was able to gather the ball and with Fernstrum out of the net, took a shot to take the lead. Meier sprinted to the goal line and saved the bouncing ball before it crossed.

Fernstrum eventually got to his feet and finished the game. Coleman said Fernstrum suffered an injury in the abdominal area and will be OK.

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