MILWAUKEE - Senior Declan Rodriguez netted a first-half goal to help the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team get off to a fast start in what eventually turned into a 1-1 draw against UIC Sunday night at Engelmann Stadium.
 
The Panthers (2-4-2, 1-0-1 Horizon League) and Flames (4-3-2, 1-0-1 Horizon League) played an up-and-down contest that featured 39 shots and 20 corner kicks, but 12 combined saves helped force just the fifth draw in the all-time series which now sees Milwaukee hold a 19-15-5 advantage.
 
"I would say a tie, you are happy because you get a point," Milwaukee head coach Kris Kelderman said. "But we want to win every time we step on the field and unfortunately, we did not get that tonight."
 
Milwaukee had to fend off four early UIC shots, including a quality save by goalkeeper Agustin Rey in the 13^th minute and a key team save by defender Josh Kaye in the 18^th minute. UIC's Kyle Hamann sent up a bicycle kick in a scrum of players in front of net, with Kaye at the post to clear it off the line and keep it scoreless at the time.
 
The Panthers broke through eight minutes later when Rodriguez headed in a well-placed corner kick by freshman Francesco Saporito, making it 1-0 at the 26:24 mark.
 
"We thought we could come out and be the aggressor," Kelderman said. "Come out and see if we could dominate the game. I thought we got off to a good start with the first goal and it was tough to hang in there. They came at us with a lot of pressure. They are a very good team, with a lot of guys who can beat you individually."
 
It stood that way until after intermission. The game then saw an unusual stretch of play, starting with the Flames going down a man on a red card in the 52^nd minute. Senior defender Dustin Ashley played a role in the next series of events, as UWM went on the offensive. Ashley's header – sprung open after a nifty back heel pass by Rodriguez – went clanging off the cross bar in the 54^th minute. Not even 30 seconds later Ashley had another crack at it, but his volley in front was saved magnificently by Andrew Putna.
 
The Flames then bounced back, finding the equalizer down a man when Joel Leon headed in a long free kick at the 54:50 mark. The game was even on the scoreboard and, seconds later, was even on the field as it was 10 vs. 10 the rest of the way following a UWM red card in the 56^th minute.
 
"Before each game you reiterate to the guys that there are going to be ups and downs during the game and you need to stay even-keeled through both scenarios," Kelderman said. "The guys responded pretty well, unfortunately after UIC got their red card, we didn't manage it well. We didn't take advantage of being a man up and the game was back and forth from there."
 
The teams continued to pile up shots, but both defenses tightened to not allow many dangerous opportunities. Sophomore Kostas Kotselas had an open header in the 69^th minute following service from sophomore Reid Stevenson and Kaye, but sent the attempt right at Putna.
 
Rey did all he needed to do in regulation, making an impressive stop after a UIC run down the right wing in the 81^st minute. It was Rey again in the first overtime session, making a sprawling save in the 92^nd minute prior to UWM going back on the offensive.
 
Sophomore Nick Moon carried down the right wing and ripped an on-target chance in the 93^rd and Milwaukee again had a glimmer of hope at the end of the first OT. Kotselas ran down a long ball and sent service to the front of goal. Moon redirected it back to the far post and had his shot blocked out of bounds. The rushed corner kick earned a shot, but Stevenson's attempt was easily saved as the horn sounded.
 
For the game, UIC held the 23-to-16 advantage in shots, with UWM a slim 8-6 edge in shots on target. UIC also had 11 of the 20 corner kicks, with the Panthers whistled for 17 of the 32 fouls.
 
Up next, the team plays the second game of a women's/men's doubleheader Saturday. The contest against Valparaiso is set to start at 7:30 p.m., but could be pushed later if the women's game goes extra time.