VALPARAISO, Ind. - Senior Laurie Bell scored in the 67^th minute to help the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team claw its way to a 1-1 tie against Valparaiso University Saturday evening at Brown Field.
 
"I thought it was a huge effort by our guys tonight," Milwaukee head coach Kris Kelderman said. "I thought we played very well in the first half. We carried the brunt of the play in the first half and they only got a couple of looks but, unfortunately, scored on one of them."
 
The Panthers (5-9-3, 2-3-2 Horizon League) turned up the intensity in the second half against the Crusaders (8-3-4, 3-2-1 Horizon League), an opponent ranked seventh in the NSCAA Great Lakes Regional poll this week and carrying the best goals-against average in the Horizon League at 0.73 prior to tonight's matchup.
 
"The second half was very even," Kelderman said. "Laurie responded with a nice goal and I think 1-1 was a fair result against a very good Crusader team that is having a great year. Playing at Valpo is always a tough environment and the result keeps us in the race to get in the conference tournament. We are still alive. I was pleased with the effort and the guys came from behind and fought hard to the end."
 
The tie, combined with a 2-1 loss by UIC against Wright State Saturday, moves the Panthers from a deadlock with the Flames to one point ahead and alone in sixth place in the conference race. Milwaukee accomplished it despite a roster that continues to get depleted. Already without freshman Nick Moon for the rest of the season, the Panthers lost a pair of forwards during tonight's contest as both freshman Reid Stevenson and senior Kyle Neumann left with injuries.
 
Bell came through with the equalizer following a flurry of activity by the Milwaukee offense. The goal came after a scrum in the box. Senior Luke Goodnetter had an attempt blocked in the 66^th, which Bell followed up with a chance of his own. His opportunity was blocked and came back to him, finishing nicely to the far post for his third goal of the campaign at the 66:12 mark.
 
Freshman Kai Botttum had the only shot for UWM in the first overtime session, forcing a save in the 93^rd minute. The remainder of the 10 minutes was uneventful, save for the final 60 seconds where the Milwaukee defense came up big to keep it 1-1. The back line blocked a pair of shots in the final 52 seconds and also fended off a corner kick to take it to the second OT.
 
Junior Aaron Horvat nearly netted the golden goal in the 109^th minute, but the only shot for UWM in the second extra session was saved.
 
Senior Richard Johnson forced the first save of the second half on a header just two minutes into the second period. That proceeded two decent opportunities by Neumann. He had a saved header in the 52^nd and also forced a nice save by the Valpo keeper just two minutes later.
 
A defensive battle in the first, the Crusaders broke up the deadlock on a 20-yard strike by Ramone Howell in the 34^th minute. Milwaukee was the aggressor in the first half and held a 6-2 advantage in shots, but it was Valpo with the goal that stood up well into the second half.
 
The Panthers finished with a 17-15 advantage in shots on the night, including 8-5 in shots on goal. Valpo did earn all five of the corner kicks and was whistled for 22 of the 42 fouls.
 
Sophomore Liam Anderson was credited with four saves for UWM, while Crusader goalkeeper Nico Campbell was forced to make seven.
 
The Panthers have a bye weekend before closing out the regular season with a home game against Detroit November 7. The match will also serve as "Senior Day" for UWM and is set to start at 7 p.m.

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