Panthers Move To 5-0 At Home in 2012

by Chris Zills
October 16, 2012

Freshman Aaron Horvat scored one goal and assisted the other to help the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team claim a 2-0 victory over the University of Nebraska-Omaha Tuesday afternoon at Engelmann Stadium.

The Panthers (7-4-2) extended several streaks with the shutout of the Mavericks (4-8-1), improving to 5-0 at home in 2012 while also running their overall unbeaten streak to five (3-0-2) as well.

"We were excited to play at home again and we knew that Omaha was going to be a tough match," UWM head coach Kris Kelderman said. "We got off to a really good start with two goals in the first half and created a couple of more chances in the second half. It was a pretty good performance overall."

Horvat tallied the eventual game-winner in the 17th minute and then had an assist on sophomore Laurie Bell's strike in the 36th minute to help Milwaukee build a 2-0 lead by halftime.

The impressive work of UNO goalkeeper Josh Christensen was the only thing that could keep UWM off the scoreboard from there, ending the day with nine saves - including several of the spectacular variety.

Freshman Connor Revsbeck only needed to make two saves in net for the Panthers, but it was enough to give him back-to-back shutouts in his first two collegiate starts.

"The defense has been pretty solid," Kelderman said. "To have a couple of shutouts against the teams we have played has been promising."

The Panthers came out firing and put on the early pressure, taking six of the first seven shots of the day. Junior Robbie Boyd created the first goal. After dribbling through a pair of defenders to create some space, his shot was knocked away with a diving effort, only to be punched towards the waiting Horvat, who headed the ball in easily at the 16:31 mark.

It was Horvat again looking to score, but had back-to-back close-range efforts knocked away by Christensen in the six-yard box. The second went right to Bell, who finished nicely for his team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Bell and Horvat could have easily had a second goal each, but Christensen managed impressive saves at the post against Bell in the 42nd minute and Horvat in the 71st.

For the game, Milwaukee recorded advantages of 21-to-11 in shots, including 12-to-2 in shots on goal. It had five of the eight corner kicks and 12 of the 28 fouls. The 12 shots on target were the highest in 11 games for UWM.

"We have been working on that," Kelderman said. "We have had a lot of success as far as creating chances and getting a lot of shots each game but it's just a matter of finishing."

Horvat led the team with eight shots - including five on goal - to go with his three points. The eight shots marked a season-high for any UWM player.

In getting to seven wins (7-4-2), UWM has its most victories in a single season since recording eight in 2006. The five-straight wins at home is a first since October of 2004 and the five-game unbeaten streak overall (3-0-2) is the best since a six-game run (4-0-2) in late 2007.

Milwaukee will ride the momentum into an important Horizon League clash at Cleveland State next, hitting the road Saturday in a game that will get underway at 6 p.m. CST.

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