NORTHRIDGE, Calif. (Sept. 11, 2009) - Freshman Cody Banks scored in the 37th minute to tie the game, but Cal State Fullerton netted the game-winner in the 75th minute to send the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team to a 2-1 loss Friday at the Matador Invitational. The Panthers (1-3-0) nearly scored in the final minutes, only to see the Titans (2-1-0) send them to their third one-goal loss of the 2009 campaign.

Banks scored on a beautiful give-and-go with sophomore Eric Frazier at the 36:58 mark, one-timing a 25-yard shot just inside the far post to make it 1-1 at the time.

The Panthers had a great chance with less than seven minutes to play, as junior Peter Sanger's long cross to the far post found junior Robert Refai, but Refai was turned away at point-blank range by Titan keeper Trevor Whiddon, who finished with five saves.

"It was a gutsy performance and we fought hard," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "I think the conditions were a little tough for us to handle. We had to make some adjustments ... we had to make some changes. We went down and fought hard to get back in the game and then I thought it was a chess match."

The Milwaukee defense bent, but did not break for most of the second half, as CSUF hit the post and the cross bar and had two close-range free kicks, but the stout Panther defense did not allow any shots on goal in those situations. Senior Nkuti Ndely even pitched in with a team save in the 48th minute to keep the match tied.

However, it was in the 75th minute when Michael Denny got one by the keeper, rifling a 35-yard shot after a clearance that turned out to be the game-winner at the 74:40 mark.

The first half did not feature much build-up on possession for either side, with Milwaukee ending the half with six shots, four on target. UWM nearly took the lead in the seventh minute after freshman Andrew Wiedabach found Frazier on a great touch pass for a give-and-go, but Frazier's six-yard attempt was saved.

For the game, Cal State Fullerton was credited with 22 shots to 11 for UWM, while each team forced three corner kicks. The Panthers were whistled for 19 of the contest's 29 fouls. Refai ended with a team and game-high six shots.

The team wraps up the weekend in California Sunday, taking on host Cal State Northridge in the final game of the Matador Invitational. That game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. CST start.