Panthers Unable to Break Through Against Cal Poly
Sept. 9, 2007
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Daniel Cumming scored the only goal of the game in the 33rd minute to lead Cal Poly to a 1-0 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team on Sunday. The Mustangs (2-0) send the Panthers (0-4) back home to Wisconsin without a victory on their weekend trip to California. "The guys are laying it on the line every game, but right now we're fighting hard to stay in games, but we just aren't where we need to be in winning games," UWM head coach Jon Coleman said. "And it's so disappointing because the game we are losing are one-goal games, so it's a mistake here or there or a missed opportunity here or there. And we are missing our opportunities." Cal Poly struck for the game-winner at the 32:54 mark. Kyle Montgomery threaded a square ball through traffic right along the top of the 18-yard box. Daniel Cumming was able to put one over the keeper for his third goal of the season for the lone goal. The Panthers came very close to finding the equalizer in the 80th minute. Senior Zeke Dombrowski sent a 25-yard blast to the near post that was saved by Cal Poly keeper Eric Branagan-Franco. Senior Tenzin Rampa found Dombrowski with a great long pass in the box after a UWM corner kick had been cleared to near midfield. The Panthers pushed forward to try and find a way to send the game to overtime, but it was not meant to be for UWM. The first half was back and forth, but UWM was not able to capitalize on any of its chances. Out of the five shot attempts it had in the half, just one was on target. That happened in the 39th minute, when senior Steve Bode nearly had his first goal of the season off a set piece. Junior Travis Phillips started the play with a long throw-in from the sideline into the box. Bode was there to get a head on it at the near post, but Cal Poly keeper Eric Branagan-Franco made the save right at the post.
Ryan Germann was the only goalkeeper tested early, making two saves in the first 14 minutes, including one where he came off his line to stop a breakaway chance by Cal Poly's David Zamora. For the game, UWM was outshot 12-to-10, but did have the four-to-three edge in corner kicks. Germann finished with seven saves in defeat. The Panthers return to Milwaukee for their home opener, hosting the Panther Invitational next weekend. The Wisconsin Badgers and Gonzaga open play at 5 p.m. at Engelmann Field on Friday, with UWM taking on Drake under the lights at 7:30 p.m. "It will be good to get home and get some wins on the board," Coleman said. "We're prepared to take care of business every time we step on the field, but we need to make sure we are really seriously ready to take on Drake Friday." |
