MILWAUKEE - Nebojsa Popovic scored with just 19 seconds remaining in regulation to send Oakland to a 1-0 victory over the Milwaukee men's soccer team Saturday night at Engelmann Stadium.
 
The Panthers (6-6-2, 2-3-1 Horizon League) certainly had the better chances down the stretch, but the Golden Grizzlies (7-6-2, 3-3 Horizon League) made the most of their opportunity to escape with the victory.
 
"That was certainly a tough one," head coach Kris Kelderman said. "We had the better of the chances all night and felt that was a game we could have won. They took advantage of their one opportunity late and that decided it."
 
Milwaukee had a handful of solid efforts over the final 10-plus minutes, but just couldn't find the net. It started in the 78^th minute, with the fans watching Francesco Saporito's 22-yard free kick sail just over the crossbar.
 
In the 89^th, Evan Conway played a give-and-go with Saporito, eventually receiving the ball back in front of goal. His header missed the inside of the left post by inches.
 
It was Conway again in the 90^th, running onto a thru ball from Vuk Latinovich. After a quick touch to get by the final defender, his shot was smothered by the OU keeper just off his foot.
 
With time running out on the ensuing possession, Popovic took a ball at the top of the box, found some space and sent the winner inside the far post at the 89:41 mark.
 
The first half featured plenty of midfield possession, with the Panthers owning the better chances after the first 45 minutes was played. Neither team had a shot attempt of any kind until the 18^th minute. That was when Latinovich put a solid header on frame off a great pass from Saporito. The OU keeper didn't need to move, however, making the save on the solid effort to keep it at zeroes.
 
Conway also had a decent opportunity in front of goal off a serve from Shawn Azcueta, only to see his effort get blocked out of bounds.
 
For the game, MKE posted advantage of 14-to-7 in shots, 3-to-2 in shots on goal and 5-to-1 in corner kicks, but were unable to turn those edges into a goal.
 
Up next, the Panthers make one more step out of league for a Tuesday contest against Eastern Illinois, set to start at 6 p.m.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Favorite Picks of the 2025 MLS Draft

Commitments: Bradley Heads to the Big East

TeamRank Presented By TeamSnap - Girls