Strong Second Half Sends Panthers Past CSU
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Second-half goals by Nick Moon and Francesco Saporito sent the Milwaukee men's soccer team past Cleveland State, 2-0, Saturday night at Krenzler Field.
Scoreless at intermission, the Panthers (6-5-2, 2-3-0 Horizon League) turned up the offense to hand the Vikings (5-5-1, 3-1-1 Horizon League) their first conference loss of the season while also snapping their winning streak at three games.
"Very good result, very pleased with the performance tonight," UWM head coach Kris Kelderman said. "We went into the game with a plan tonight and the guys stuck to it. Defensively, we got the shutout, which is always a priority, and we were again a difficult team to play against."
Moon hit the back of the net at the 54:48 mark, sending a shot to the far post from the left wing off a nice feed from Jason Palitang Svensson. That was the first of eight second-half shots, as the UWM offense kept up the pressure throughout the second period.
"Offensively, we got some goals and had a couple of chances to get another against a very good Cleveland State team," Kelderman said. "An even first half, the guys had to be patient and stick to the plan. We thought as the game went on and the score was even, we felt very good about the game turning in our favor and that is what happened."
Moon had the eventual winner and then set up the second marker, finding Saporito from the end line with a perfect pass. After a touch, he went low and left for his first of the season, making it 2-0 at the 77:50 mark.
CSU tried to respond, appearing to find a goal just minutes later. It was waved off for offsides, and the UWM defense went on to not allow a shot on goal the entire evening, as Freddy Lorenzen posted his sixth shutout of the season.
For the contest, Milwaukee totaled an 11-to-8 advantage in shots (3-0 on frame), with both teams earning a pair of corner kicks. The home side was whistled for 17 of the 32 fouls and picked up four of the five yellow cards.
The Panthers had a couple of quality chances to make it 3-0 late. Vuk Latinovich sent in a blast against the run of play from distance in the 76th minute, forcing a diving save. Henrik Fennefoss nearly had a header in the 85th as well, sending it just wide of the post.
The team returns to Milwaukee and will play its next game at home, taking on Wright State on Saturday. Game time against the Raiders is set for 7 p.m. from Engelmann Stadium.
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