VALPARAISO, Ind. - Evan Conway found the equalizer in the 51^st minute and the Milwaukee men's soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to five games in a row with a 1-1 draw against Valparaiso University Saturday night at Brown Field.
 
The Panthers (6-4-2, 3-1-1 Horizon League) played the league-leading Crusaders (6-2-3, 3-0-2 Horizon League) into overtime, nearly claiming the victory in the 106^th minute when Griffin Kerwin's shot hit the right post and bounced out.
 
"The team worked hard and fought hard and it was a game that I think could have went either way," Milwaukee head coach Kris Kelderman said. "We had a couple more chances, most memorable was Griffin Kerwin's shot in the second overtime that went off the post. It would have been a fantastic way to finish the game. It was a good battle – it always is against Valpo – but we will take the point."
 
Down 1-0 at intermission, Milwaukee struck next to make it a new game. Picking up the ball at midfield, Francesco Saporito sent a back pass to Magnus Flaatedal. Flaatedal then sent a perfect ball over the top of the back line to Conway, who did the rest. He ran on to the ball, took two touches and snuck a left-footed shot between the Valpo keeper and the left post to make it a new game at the 50:26 mark.
 
"As a group, I think we look at that as a pretty good result," "Playing Valpo on their home field is always difficult. They have a physically strong, fast team this year, a very experienced group. It was a very big challenge and I felt the guys did well. The guys hung in there and we came from behind again, scored a nice goal by Evan Conway."
 
The Crusaders earned the 5-to-2 advantage in shots in the extra 20 minutes of action, but it was Kerwin's near golden-goal that came closest to sending either side home a winner. Off a throw-in from the sideline, Nick Moon took a flicked header and darted towards goal. The last defender got a piece of the ball, creating the chance that Kerwin raced onto, one-timing it off the post.
 
Sam Glass made a couple of key saves in the second overtime as the Panthers extended their unbeaten streak to five consecutive (4-0-1) while also improving to 5-1-1 in their past seven outings.
 
An even game in the first half, Valparaiso drew first blood in the 40^th minute, with Matthew Gweh beating a charging Glass to a long ball in front of goal. Glass came charging out, but Gweh was able to get a touch on it just in time, sending the ball into the back of the net at the 39:57 mark.
 
Early in the night, Milwaukee was also denied in the 26^th minute on a corner kick opportunity. Saporito's service found the head of Flaatedal, whose header was saved and popped into the air. Another player got a head on it but Nico Campbell was able to somehow coral the ball before it could find any more danger.
 
For the game, Valpo held the overall shot advantage of 14-to-10, with each team recording four shots on goal. Flaatedal, Moon and Saporito each had two shots to pace the UWM offense. Glass finished with three saves overall.
 
It will be a week off for the team, returning home next Saturday to host Oakland University as part of a day/night doubleheader with the Milwaukee women. Game time against the Golden Grizzlies is set for 7 p.m. under the lights at Engelmann Stadium.

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