SPOKANE, Wash. - Freshman Matthias Binder tied the game up just after halftime but a 75^th-minute goal by Marcelo Acuna sent the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team to a tough 2-1 loss against Houston Baptist University Friday afternoon at Luger Field.
 
The Panthers (1-3-1) pushed forward late against the Huskies (3-2-0) but could not find a way to force overtime despite an 18-to-15 advantage in shots on the day.
 
"I think we are going through a frustrating time," UWM head coach Kris Kelderman said. "As a team, we are finding ways to lose a game when you are trying to find ways to win a game. We are at a point where we are averaging 18 shots a game – we had 18 again today – and only had one goal to show for it. We had other opportunities, but we are not capitalizing on them."
 
Milwaukee came out of halftime with a head of steam, tying the contest in the 54^th minute on Binder's second goal of the young season. He curled a left-footed shot into the upper left of the goal at the 53:33 mark, assisted by freshman Francesco Saporito and senior Declan Rodriguez.
 
Rodriguez carried the ball into the box before running into a wall of defenders. He fed Saporito on the right wing, who one-touched it to Binder on left and he did the rest.
 
HBU struck early, getting a goal in the eighth minute on a through ball that created a 1 v. 1 on the goalie. Milwaukee kept firing to try and break through, only to see the Huskie keeper make every save.
 
"We are managing one or two defensive breakdowns where our opponents capitalize," Kelderman said. "It's a situation where we need to clean up our play in both boxes."
 
Milwaukee ended the afternoon with an 18-15 advantage in shots (9 each half) and earned six of the 11 corner kicks. A trio of Panthers (Binder/Rodriguez/sophomore Nick Moon) had a team-high three shots.
 
"We have plenty of shots, plenty of chances, but trouble finishing," Kelderman said. "We are not getting the results that we want, but if we were not creating the opportunities, I'd be very concerned. I am not concerned with our play, but with our results. We will keep plugging away and use these non-conference games to be better and right when league play starts."
 
It's a day off before UWM gets back to work, taking on the host Zags in a Sunday matinee set to start at 3:30 p.m.

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