MILWAUKEE - Sean Holmes scored the golden goal in the first overtime period to send the Milwaukee men's soccer team to a thrilling 1-0 victory over Green Bay Saturday night.
 
The Panthers (6-3-1, 2-0-1 Horizon League) reclaim the Chancellor's Cup with the victory over the Phoenix (5-4-1, 2-2-0 Horizon League) and remain unbeaten in Horizon League play on a cold and rainy night at Engelmann Stadium.
 
"The elements were difficult, but the guys did very well to adjust and get the result," head coach Kris Kelderman said. "Past results just go out the window in this one … it's whatever team is better on that day. It's always a very close game and here we go again, another one in overtime. It is pretty emotional; a lot of these guys know each other from club ball or high school. We see each other a lot, so it's always a big match for everybody."
 
The winner started from the sidelines with a long throw-in from Shawn Azcueta. Evan Conway ran on to the throw and back-heeled a pass to Holmes in the middle, who took one touch, spun around and buried it inside the right post to set off the celebration at the 99:05 mark.
 
"Sean Holmes is pretty darn good in front of the goal," Kelderman said. "He's a good finisher; he's pretty savvy in front of the net. Just a great finish by Sean."
 
The wet field made for interesting game conditions all evening. Shots were hard to come by for either side, with just six total attempts in the second half. The only real dangerous threats either way came early in the period, with Freddy Lorenzen making a key stop in a one on one chance in the 52^nd minute to keep the game at zeroes.
 
The best look Milwaukee had in the second came in the 51^st minute, when Francesco Saporito nearly snuck one in from distance, only to see a sprawling save at the post knock it wide.
 
"The rain made the game very slick, very quick, and you had to adapt that," Kelderman said. "At the same time, we knew that they had a lot of pace up front – with a slick field it can make it even more dangerous dealing with that."
 
The rain came down hard in the first half, resulting in plenty of midfield possession. The Panthers had the majority of chances, with Suad Suljic getting a few looks early on.
 
The Phoenix accumulated just three shots in the opening period, but the one on target was tricky. Tomer Zloczower went zipping down the left side, getting past the defense before taking a hard shot from close range. Lorenzen was there to make a nice save, doing his part to get the game to 0-0 at intermission.
 
On the night, the shot advantage (11-to-7), shots on goal edge (7-to-3) and corner kicks (6-to-5) all went the way of the home team. No player finished with more than two shots for the Panthers, with Zloczower recording a game-high three for the visitors.
 
Lorenzen finished the night with three saves in recording his fourth shutout of the season.
 
Up next, the Panthers play another state rivalry affair, slated to head to Madison to take on Wisconsin Wednesday. Game time against the Badgers is set for 7 p.m.
 

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