MILWAUKEE – Jake Kelderman headed in a corner kick in the 84^th minute to send the Milwaukee men's soccer team to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Western Illinois in the season opener Friday night at Engelmann Stadium.
 
The Panthers (1-0) led the Leathernecks (0-1) on a pair of occasions on a two goals by Alex Sykes, but needed a third tally as time ticked down to claim the exciting victory.
 
"It was exciting because we won … and a little nerve-wracking at moments," head coach Kris Kelderman said. "A bit of an up-and-down game. There were moments I thought we looked very good and there were moments we got tired at times and gave up some plays. But ultimately the guys found a way to win; fought to the very end."
 
Milwaukee got things started early, with Sykes finding the back of the net just 5:12 into the evening. The scoring play started with some nifty footwork by Evan Conway, working his way into the penalty area before laying off the ball perfectly for Sykes to stake MKE to the early lead.
 
It stayed that way until the 21:01 mark, when a failed opportunity to clear a ball out of the backline created an opportunity for WIU. Daisuke Otsuka jumped on it, sending one to the far post for the 1-1 equalizer.
 
The Panthers came up with an immediate answer, taking advantage of a miscue to grab the 2-1 advantage. Sykes battled the defense for possession in the attacking third, with the ball popping into the air, headed back to the WIU keeper. The backline defender also went for the ball, allowing Sykes to sneak in and slot it home unassisted just 2:31 later to regain the one-goal advantage.
 
"It was huge," Kelderman said of the quick response. "I thought we were playing well from the start and had control of the game."
 
Conway spent most of the evening with close-calls, nearly making it 2-0 in the 16^th minute on a slick pass from Theo Campbell. Timothy Trilk came up with the save, one of six on the evening.
 
Vuk Latinovich had a chance to make it 3-1 just before halftime, rocketing a shot just over the bar on a nice buildup from Suad Suljic and Kelderman off a free kick.
 
In the 63^rd minute it was Conway again, getting his shot saved in front. It rebounded back out to him, with the second attempt going just wide of the left post.
 
Western found a way to make it a new game again in the 68^th minute, being in the right place at the right time to send home a rebound off the post.
 
Milwaukee had a few chances to forge ahead again, but a great stop on a Conway give-and-go with Kasper Davidsson and a save of a PK kept it 2-2 until late.
 
The Panthers kept up the pressure and earned back-to-back corner kicks, with the second one from Davidsson placed perfectly to the back post where Kelderman was there to sneak it inside the woodwork.
                                          
"It's really nice whenever anybody scores," Kelderman said. "In all honesty, when your son scores and it's the winner – it's pretty special."
 
For the night, MEK ended with a 17-to-11 advantage in shots, as well as a 9-to-3 advantage in shots on goal. Conway finished the night with a game-high six shots (3 on goal), while Sykes recorded four on his way to the brace.
 
In goal, Freddy Lorenzen was credited with one save in the victory.
 
The season-opening holiday weekend continues with a road game Monday. The Panthers will take on Drake that evening, starting at 5 p.m.