MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee men's soccer team put a late flurry of shots on goal, but could not find a winner in battling Cleveland State to a 1-1 draw Saturday evening at Engelmann Stadium.
 
The Panthers (3-2-1, 0-0-1 Horizon League) scored first against the Vikings (0-4-1, 0-1-1 Horizon League) and nearly scored last, eventually settling for the tie in their conference opener.
 
"I thought we had some good momentum going into the overtime," head coach Kris Kelderman said. "I thought we finished the game being dangerous going forward and creating some chances. We had a good look in the overtime and were just unfortunate. Based on a good Cleveland State team and the performance we had, I am happy with a point. I think the draw is a fair result."
 
Freddy Lorenzen was up to the task all night, finishing with nine saves to equal his career-high.
 
Jake Kelderman provided the goal for Milwaukee, sending in a flying header off a Vuk Latinovich free kick at the 46:43 mark.
 
That followed a quiet first half for MKE, which had just two shots in the opening 45 minutes.
 
"First half was a rough one," Kelderman said. "Cleveland State took it to us, they outplayed us. We had to regroup, get after some people and I thought our response was better."
 
In the second overtime the Panthers pushed forward late, almost seeing a golden goal off the foot of Evan Conway, who picked up a pin-balled pass from Latinovich and nearly snuck it inside the right post in the 108^th minute.
 
Milwaukee also saw decent chances from Nick Anguil-Andriacchi (saved) and Cameron Williams (wide in the final seconds) and another from Conway (blocked in the box in the 110^th) in the final minutes of extra time.
 
Lorenzen made a couple of brilliant stops on the night, getting big saves in the 57^th minute following service into the box and a quality punch-save early on (ninth minute).
 
For the contest, the visitors walked away with a 21-to-10 advantage in shots (10-4 in shots on target), while Milwaukee did earn the 5-to-3 edge in corner kicks. A physical game, MKE was whistled for 32 of the 48 fouls in a match where five yellow cards were also handed out.
 
Ahead on Kelderman's strike, Milwaukee almost saw its lead doubled in the 55^th minute. Following a foul and a free kick from the right wing, Suad Suljic stepped up and tried to curl a score inside the right post, forcing an all-out diving stop from CSU keeper Alex Gyerman.
 
Conway finished with a team-high three shots. Lawrence Karpeh and Noah Pio recorded a game-high six apiece for the Vikings, with the goal coming after Pio hit the crossbar in the 76^th minute, only to see it get headed in at the endline to make it a new game at 1-1.
 
It is back to non-conference action next for the Panthers, who travel across town for the "Milwaukee Cup" showdown at Marquette next. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Valley Fields.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Girls N. Atlantic Players to Watch

Women's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview

Best of Men's College Soccer Week 13