MILWAUKEE - In a game that featured two high-scoring offenses, it was the defense that stole the show for most of the night as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team tied the University of Wisconsin, 1-1, Wednesday evening in front of a crowd of 1,141 at Engelmann Stadium.

The Panthers (10-2-2) and Badgers (9-3-2) each entered the contest with the highest-scoring offenses in their respective conferences, but played to a scoreless battle until the 83rd minute when the teams traded goals in a 22-second span.

Junior Laurie Bell struck first, converting a penalty kick at the 82:37 mark to give Milwaukee the late lead. The momentum was very short-lived however, with Jacob Brindle scoring on a header at the 82:59 mark to level the game.

The overtime periods did not yield much offense either way, with freshman Liam Anderson making a nice save on a close-range header in the 96th minute of action to help UWM earn the draw against a Wisconsin team that came into the night ranked No. 10 in the NSCAA Great Lakes Region.

"I thought we had a tough time in the first half," Milwaukee head coach Kris Kelderman said. "They were battling harder than we were and had more of the possession. We regrouped at halftime and challenged ourselves to play the way we wanted to play. I thought we came out and responded really well in the second half."

Junior Luke Goodnetter nearly put the home side ahead in the 28th minute, but his well-struck free kick was punched over the bar.

Milwaukee turned up the offense in the second half, recording a 10-to-5 advantage in shots in the period. Senior Austin Toth took possession of a free kick clearance on the left wing in the 58th minute, but his blast went just high. In the 72nd minute, senior Andrew Stone had a close-range open header off a free kick, but again, the attempt went just over the bar.

"We were playing much better in the second half and got some momentum," Kelderman said. "We were playing on their half of the field more and got the penalty kick and scored. We were rewarded for our efforts and then just a few seconds later we got caught flat. It was a lesson to be learned - you can't get too excited about the highs - you have to be prepared."

Goodnetter started the UWM scoring play with a free kick into the box. Stone's shot was then blocked by a UW defender but a handball in the box was called. Bell rifled home the PK for his ninth goal of the season.

The Badgers took the kickoff and drove immediately down the field, with a serve from the far sideline finished by Brindle's header before the crowd had even sat back down to make it a new game at 1-1.

"Obviously, we preach to the guys that we play to win," Kelderman said. "But, it's a good result against a very good team. They have had a very good season so far and their record shows that. At the end of the day, I thought it was a really good effort and a fair result."

Neither team did much damage in the overtime sessions outside of the save by Anderson, one of four that he recorded on the evening. In fact, no shots were recorded by either squad in the second overtime period.

For the game, the Panthers held advantages of 17-to-13 in shots, with Bell leading the way with seven. The Badgers earned 11 of the 16 corner kicks on the night and were whistled for 18 of the 31 fouls.

Up next, Milwaukee stays at home to welcome Horizon League newcomer Oakland University to Engelmann Stadium Saturday, set for a 7 p.m. start.

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