Junior Declan Rodriguez scored two second-half goals to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men’s soccer team to a comeback 2-1 victory over UIC Saturday night at Flames Field.

The Panthers (5-8-2, 2-3-1 Horizon League) and Flames (6-5-2, 2-2-1 Horizon League) were in a scoreless battle until the 59^th minute when UIC struck first. Rodriguez answered not even two minutes later to draw even and then added the eventual game-winner in the 73^rd minute.

“It was a huge victory for us and I am very proud of the guys,” Milwaukee head coach Kris Kelderman said. “There was a lot of pressure on this match and they knew that. It was a great group effort and there were a number of individual performances that really helped us out. Declan played more of an offensive role tonight with two goals and it was good. Very proud of the guys – we had a game plan and everybody stuck to it.”

The victory was a big one for Milwaukee, marking its first on Flames Field since the 2002 campaign and also drawing them even with the Flames for sixth place in the Horizon league standings with seven points.

“Road games are always tough and I didn’t realize we hadn’t won in Chicago in some time, but we needed those three points,” Kelderman said. “I am happy for the guys, it was a great effort.”

UIC opened the scoring on a goal by Jose Fuentes at the 58:19 mark. Just 116 seconds later, Rodriguez helped Milwaukee respond when he headed home a loose ball after a scramble in front of the net for his first of the season at the 60:15 mark. The scramble came seconds after a UIC defender cleared a header by senior Laurie Bell off the line.

Rodriguez wasn’t done there, scoring on a corner kick taken by junior Aaron Horvat in the 73^rd minute to make it 2-1 and help Milwaukee claim a victory for the first time this season in a game in which it trailed.

Sophomore goalkeeper Liam Anderson and the defense did the rest. Anderson made six saves and the defense in front of him held the high-powered Flames without a shot attempt over the final 15-plus minutes of the match.

UWM ended with a slight 17-13 deficit in total shots taken, but put more on target by a count of 10-7. It also had five of the nine corner kicks of the match and was whistled for 10 of the 21 total fouls.

The first half was scoreless, with Milwaukee having a handful more clear-cut opportunities than the Flames. After 45 minutes, UIC held a 9-6 advantage in shots, but Milwaukee had four on goal compared to just a pair for the Flames.

Rodriguez and Bell led the way with four shots each overall. Horvat’s assist was his third in the past three games.

Up next, the Panthers head to Madison for their annual clash with the Badgers Wednesday. Game time is set for a 7 p.m. start under the lights at McClimon Soccer Complex.

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