Panthers To Battle No. 1 New Mexico In Second Round ActionNov. 20, 2005
Game 23 Tuesday's game versus New Mexico will be available live
through Gametracker on www.uwmpanthers.com Game 24 (if advance) The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team will continue play in 2005 NCAA Tournament with a game against New Mexico on Tuesday. The second round contest will be played under the lights at the UNM Soccer Complex in Albuquerque, N.M., starting at 8 p.m. CST. Complete Release in PDF Format
Milwaukee is making its fifth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance and eighth in the history of the program (1979, 1980, 1990, 2001-05). The Panthers earned an automatic bid courtesy of their 1-0 victory over Detroit in the Horizon League Tournament Championship. UWM reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth-straight season with their 2-0 victory over Bradley on Friday. Milwaukee was one of only three road teams to win in the opening round (along with Stony Brook and Providence), and is also one of four schools to win at least one match in each of the last four NCAA Tournaments (Creighton, St. John's University and UC-Santa Barbara). A year ago, the Panthers defeated No. 16 San Francisco 3-2 in the opener before falling, 2-1, in double-overtime to No. 1 UC Santa Barbara. SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION They are very tough to play at home, posting a 6-1-0 record so far in 2005. They had won 14-straight games at the UNM Soccer Complex before that loss to San Jose State as well. The Lobos are 29-2-2 in more than three seasons under head coach Jeremy Fishbein. They draw very well for that home-field advantage, finishing second in attendance in 2004. This fall, they have averaged 3,041 fans through seven games, breaking the school-record they set a season ago. They have had a very successful season, as they are one of only two teams with one loss (Akron is 17-1-2). They are also tied with Bradley, Connecticut, Old Dominion, North Carolina, Maryland and UNC-Greensboro for second-place in the NCAA with 15 wins (Akron - 17). New Mexico has five players who have scored 10 or more points this season, led by senior Jeff Rowland. He has a team-best 13 goals and 29 points, including four game-winners. Senior Lance Watson is second with 14 points, carried by a team-high eight assists. On defense, sophomore Mike Graczyk has played all but 45 minutes in the nets, posting a 0.60 goals against average and .831 save percentage. He has 11 shutouts on the year. FIRST ROUND ACTION The Panthers scored a goal in each half and the defense did the rest, posting their 12th shutout of the season, and fifth-consecutive, as Milwaukee defeated Bradley 2-0 in Peoria, Ill. on Friday. Junior Steve Sperl got things started at the 11-minute mark, turning a Bradley turnover into the game-winning goal. Sophomore Andre Francois added an insurance marker in the second and freshman goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum tied the school record with his 10th clean sheet of the season in running his scoreless streak to 450 minutes. THE ROAD TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT The Panthers defended their Horizon League Tournament Championship with a thrilling 1-0 victory over Detroit. Junior Dale Weiler's header in the 63rd minute provided the difference, and Tournament MVP Grant Fernstrum made the one goal stand up for the victory, recording his fourth-straight shutout in the process. Senior Kyle Zenoni also played a key role, making a team save by clearing a first-half Detroit shot on goal off the line to help preserve the shutout. The Panthers made it to the Finals with a 1-0 victory over UW-Green Bay. The only goal of the game came in the fifth minute, as sophomore Andre Francois struck for his second goal of the season when he slid a 20-yard blast just inside the far left post. 2005 SENIOR CLASS LOOKING TO REPEAT The 2004 senior class reached uncharted territory when they became the first to advance to the NCAA Tournament in all four of their seasons wearing a Panther uniform. This season, seniors Kyle Zenoni and Neil Dombrowski became the next in line to add their names to the same prestigious list. The pair has advanced to the second round of the tourney each year, posting a 4-3 record in the seven games. JUST CALL IT THE UWM TOURNAMENT The Panthers earned their fourth-straight Horizon League Tournament Championship last weekend and did it with defense. They did not allow a goal in the three games, adding to their recent run of success in the event. Over the past four seasons, the team has won all 12 of the games they have played, outscoring their opponents 34-3 in that span. Their last loss in the league tournament was in the championship game on Nov. 11, 2001, a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Butler. HORIZON LEAGUE TOURNAMENT HONORS The Panthers took home numerous Horizon League Tournament honors, starting with goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum being tabbed for MVP. He became just the sixth goalie in league history to not allow a goal in the tournament, and the first since former UWM goalie Kirk Thode did it in 2003. He was joined on the All-Tournament Team by junior Dale Weiler, senior Neil Dombrowski and sophomore Steve Bode, while Jason Massoglia, Sasha Boskovic and Andrew Ornoch represented Detroit on the 11-player squad. Wright State's Tony Labudovski and Josh Grossman plus UW-Green Bay players Joshua Okoampa and Bati Tola rounded out the group. NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY The UWM men's soccer team will be making its fifth-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament, the longest consecutive NCAA streak in both school and Horizon League history. The Panthers are 4-3 in their last three NCAA Tournament berths and have won each of their last four first round games. Friday marked the program's eighth NCAA Tournament appearance overall, also tops among all league schools. Below is a rundown of UWM's NCAA Tournament appearances.
Year Opponent Site Result
2005 Bradley Peoria, Ill. W, 2-0
2004 #1 UC Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, Calif. L, 2-1, OT
#20 San Francisco San Francisco, Calif. W, 3-2
2003 #5 Notre Dame South Bend, Ind. L, 4-1
Western Michigan Milwaukee W, 4-1
2002 #6 Creighton Lincoln, Neb. L, 3-2
Oakland Milwaukee W, 2-1
2001 UMKC St. Louis, Mo. L, 2-1
1990 Indiana Bloomington, Ind. L, 5-1
1980 Cleveland State Milwaukee L, 1-0
1979 Cleveland State Cleveland, Ohio L, 2-1
REVENGE MATCHES Milwaukee had the opportunity to avenge both Horizon League schools that handed them defeats in the regular season and accomplished the feat. They defeated both UW-Green Bay, who beat the Panthers 1-0 in overtime Oct. 26, and the Titans, who stunned UWM 2-1 at home Oct. 2. MAYBE ONE IS ENOUGH The Panthers won each of their three Horizon League Tournament games by identical 1-0 scores. But, with the way the defense is playing (a team GAA of just 0.69, good for 19th-best in the country), that seems to be all they need. They have won six different games by that 1-0 score, beating Oakland Sept. 9, Cleveland State Sept. 29, Northern Illinois Oct. 16, Butler Nov. 5, UW-Green Bay Nov. 11 and Detroit Nov. 13. FERNSTRUM DELIVERING The Panthers late-season surge has been highlighted by defense, as they have won six of their last seven games by shutout. Leading the way is freshman goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum, who was named Horizon League Tournament MVP. He was also recently named to the Top Drawer Soccer National All-Rookie Team. He has posted a record of 10-2-3 in 15 starts, with a goals against average of 0.38 and a save percentage of .906. His 10 shutouts broke the UWM freshman record of six and is tied John Mroz's school mark set in 1990. His numbers rank well nationally, as his 0.38 GAA and .906 save percentage are currently topping both lists. He is being recognized nationally as well, as he was named to College Soccer News National Team of the Week for the second time this season on Sunday. POSTSEASON SUCCESS Success for the UWM men's soccer team has not been relegated to just regular season games. In the 32-year history of the program, Milwaukee owns a 23-14-1 all-time record in postseason games. The Panthers are 4-7-0 in NCAA Tournament play and 22-7-1 in conference tournament action. There has been even more success of late as UWM boasts a 13-3 record in postseason contests in the last three years. Milwaukee is a perfect 12-0 in its last 12 Horizon League tournament contests and 4-3 in its last six NCAA games. TOURNAMENT TRADITION Milwaukee extended its program and Horizon League record of consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament to five-straight with its victory over Detroit. They are one of just 10 schools nationally to record victories in each of the past three as well. They defeated No. 20 San Francisco 3-2 in the first round a season ago before falling to No. 1 UC Santa Barbara 2-1 in double overtime. That followed a 4-1 win over Western Michigan in the first round of the 2003 tournament and a 2-1 victory over Oakland in 2002. With the women's soccer team at UWM making a trip to the NCAA Tournament this season, Milwaukee is one of only five schools to earn automatic berths in both the NCAA men's and women's soccer tournaments. UWM joins Hofstra (Colonial Athletic Assoc.), Dartmouth (Ivy League), Creighton (Missouri Valley) and UCLA (Pac-10) WELCOME BACK! The return of junior Dale Weiler was a welcome sight for the team and fans alike on Oct. 31. Weiler had not played in 37 days, last appearing in UWM's match against Gonzaga Sept. 25. He made an immediate impact on the offense and in the game, striking for the eventual winning goal just over seven minutes into the contest. Weiler, the team's top returning point scorer from last season when he had four goals and 16 assists, was named Horizon League Player of the Week for his efforts and has six points (2G/2A) since his return, including the game-winner in the Horizon League Tournament Finals. BEYOND REGULATION The Panthers have had much success when deciding games in regulation time, posting a record of 14-1 in games that go just 90 minutes. They have not been as fortunate when playing extra time though. UWM has played into overtime in seven games so far this season, going 0-3-4 in those matches while spending an additional 107:46 of time on the field. Last season they played six overtime games all year, posting a 2-1-3 record in such contests. The program record for overtime matches is eight, set during the 1999 season when UWM went 4-3-1. HORIZON ALL-LEAGUE HONOREES The Panthers had four players honored by the Horizon League on Thursday when the All-League Teams were announced by the conference office. Senior Neil Dombrowski and sophomore Steve Bode received top honors from the league, each being named to the All-League First Team Juniors Craig Mallace and Billy Meier rounded out the list with second team honors. NOW THIS IS HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE When it comes to home field advantage, the Panthers rank right up there with the best in the business. Since the start of the 2001 season, UWM has turned Engelmann Field into a place visiting teams do not want to see on their schedule. They have gone 42-6-1 on their home pitch in that time, including a 12-1 mark in postseason play and a perfect 2-0 mark in NCAA Tournament action. FIT TO BE TIED The Panthers 0-0 draw with UIC Oct. 12 tied a school mark. That tie gave UWM four this season, matching the 1979 squad that went 15-3-4 for most in program history. Milwaukee has tied Drake 3-3 and had games against Oregon State and Gonzaga end 1-1 in addition to the scoreless game versus the Flames. The Panthers finished 2004 with three ties, ending a streak of seven years where they had one or zero draws. DOMBROWSKI AND BODE TABBED BY CoSIDA Neil Dombrowski and Steve Bode added to their list of honors this year, this time being recognized for the hard work they put in off the playing field. They were both named to the Academic All-District Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Dombrowski currently leads the team with a career-best nine goals and 22 points. He is majoring in marketing and carries a 3.52 GPA. Bode has been one of the anchors of the defense from his central defender position, helping lead the team to a league-best goals against average of 0.72 for the season, including 11 shutouts. He is a psychology major with a 3.71 GPA. As members of the ESPN The Magazine All-District First Team in District 5, Dombrowski and Bode will move on to the national ballot later this month. They were two of six Horizon League players to earn the prestigious distinction, joined by Adam Ben-Zikri of UW-Green Bay, Patrick Reilly of Butler, Joe Nierzwicki of Loyola and Jason Massoglia of Detroit. BALANCE AND DEPTH The Panther offensive attack has been very balanced and deep overall this season. There have been 11 different players to score goals and 17 have recorded points. Four different players have 10+ points, all setting career-highs along the way: Neil Dombrowski leads the team with 23 (9G/5A) points, followed by Craig Mallace with 18 (4G/10A), Steve Sperl with 14 (5G/4A) and Steve Bode with 11 (5G/1A). The team's depth is evident in the fact that they have used 20 different players to date, with 19 making at least one start. FERNSTRUM MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF Freshman Grant Fernstrum continues his stellar play in goal and does what a great goalkeeper needs to do - keep opponents out of the back of the net. He set a new team record against Butler (Nov. 5), recording his seventh shutout of the season to eclipse the freshman record for shutouts in a season. (He was tied at six with Jon Mroz in 1988 and Jason Balistrieri in 1985). Fernstrum also snapped a long streak for the Panthers goalkeepers earlier this fall. In Milwaukee's game against Wisconsin (Oct. 4), he made a save on a penalty kick. That marked the first UWM stop of a PK in 10 tries, dating back to the 2002 season. That year, goalie Brad Swenby stopped a penalty kick in a victory on the road at Detroit. HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF MATCH The Panthers continued their tradition of charity when they took on UIC Oct. 12th. They wore commemorative American Red Cross Puma jerseys that they then auctioned off afterwards to help support the ongoing hurricane relief efforts. The team raised close to $7,000 to give to the Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the American Red Cross. The Panthers started the tradition in 2001 to honor the September 11th tragedy. They wore special one-time kits again in 2003 to raise money for the MACC fund. The Oct. 12th game saw the Panthers wearing a red, white and blue jersey with the logo of the American Red Cross appearing on the front. ODDS & ENDS Sophomore Steve Bode has been the only player to play and start all 22 games this season ... The team has not allowed a goal in the first half for 13 straight games. The last time UWM allowed a goal before halftime was in an Oct. 2 match against Detroit ... The Panthers have four losses on the season, all by just one goal ... The team plays off their quick-strike offense, as they are 13-1-1 when scoring first and 10-0-1 when leading at the half. AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS The Panthers offense topped most of the charts among Horizon League members entering play in the NCAA Tournament. At the start of last week, they ranked first in shots (12.8 per game), points (101) and goals (34), and second in assists (33). Their defense has firmly taken over the top as well, leading the league in goals against average (0.72) and shutouts (11). Goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum is tops in the league in GAA (0.40), save percentage (.898), shutouts (9) and shutouts per game (0.64). Offensively, Neil Dombrowski is tied for second with 22 points, just off the league lead of 25. Dombrowski is tied for second with nine goals and Craig Mallace continues to lead the conference in assists with 10. ON TAP... With a victory, the Panthers would advance to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. That game would take place either Saturday or Sunday versus the winner of the CS Northridge/UC Santa Barbara second round match-up.
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