Nov. 8, 2000

MILWAUKEE-The UWM men's soccer team ended their season with a loss to top-seeded UIC, 2-0, in the semifinal round of the MCC tournament on Saturday in Chicago. The Panthers finished the season 4-2-1 in the MCC and 11-9-1 overall.

Playing with a veteran squad of seven seniors, the Flames were able to capitalize on a UWM defensive miscue in the first half to take the 1-0 lead. UIC senior forward and MCC Player of the Year Eric Lukin scored in the 24th minute past UWM goalkeeper Brad Swenby (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) from 12 yards out. Lukin's goal was followed with a red card issuance five minutes later after elbowing UWM's Chad Dombrowski.

The flames broke through the Panthers' defense again with a goal in the 33rd minute to end the half at 2-0. After halftime, UWM dominated possession in the attack but were unable to capitalize on any opportunities. The Panthers ended the game with the advantage over UIC in shots, 12-7, and corner kicks, 8-3. Swenby recorded two saves while UIC senior goalkeeper Chris Jamal tallied six.

UIC advanced to the championship game against UW-Green Bay, defeating the the third-seeded Phoenix, 3-1, on Sunday.

ALL-TOURNAMENT RECOGNITION-Senior Blake Bostwick (Port Washington, Wis./Port Washington) was the sole Panther named to the MCC All-Tournament team. Also making the team were four players from Green Bay, one player from Loyola, and five from UIC. UIC's Jamal was selected as the MCC Tournament MVP.

POST-SEASON AWARDS-Senior defender Scott Dombrowski (West Allis, Wis./Hale) was one of six Panthers to earn post-season accolades. Dombrowski was honored on the All-MCC first team, while junior forward Ryan Seymour (Portage Mich./Northern) and Bostwick were selected to the MCC second team.

Dombrowski's award was his first MCC honor, though he was selected to the All-Region second team as a junior last year. Seymour was an All-MCC tournament honoree in 1998 as a freshman and Bostwick was named Newcomer of the Year in 1997.

Three freshman earned post-season awards for their play during the season. Midfielders Tighe Dombrowski (West Allis, Wis./Hale) and Daniel Saavedra (Milwaukee, Wis./Tech) and forward Kyle Lance (Franklin, Wis./Franklin) were all named to the MCC All-Newcomer team.

UWM IN MCC STATS-The Panthers finished the season ranked first in the MCC in corner kicks (161, 7.67/game), second in shots (316, 15.05/game), and third in goals (36, 1.71/game) and assists (31, 1.48/game).

Individually, Seymour ended his junior campaign ranked second in shots (67), eighth in points (23), and tied for sixth in goals (9). Seymour, Bostwick and freshman Kyle Lance (Franklin, Wis./Franklin) are all tied for tenth in assists (5).

Seymour's four assists recorded in September 3rd's game against Northwestern, and the Panthers' 39 shots against UW-Green Bay on October 25th, each finished as MCC records for the 2000 season.