Sperl Scores Three Weekend Goals To Lead PanthersApril 14, 2005 MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team played to a 2-0 record in the second weekend of its 2005 Spring Season, April 8-10. The Panthers defeated UW-Parkside, 4-1, on Friday in Kenosha, before traveling to LaCrosse, Wis., and topping the Minnesota Thunder of the A-League, 2-0. Milwaukee 4, UW-Parkside 1 After junior Eric Mickschl held the Rangers scoreless in the first half, the Panther offense came alive, first getting on the board in the 55th minute. Freshman Zeke Dombrowski found the upper right corner of the goal from 24 yards out to give Milwaukee the UWM 1-0 lead. He came back to assist on the first of two-straight Steve Sperl goals in the 62nd minute. Dombrowski took a UWM corner kick and found Sperl for the goal. "Our fitness came into play as the game progressed," associate head coach Stan Anderson said. "The miles these guys put on in training with Coach Coleman really paid dividends." In the 80th minute, Sperl scored his second goal of the evening, converting a breakaway from junior Kyle Zenoni. Milwaukee's fourth and final goal was another breakaway, as freshman Troy Spielmann found the back of the net off an assist from senior Neil Dombrowski in the 86th minute. "The goal scoring was nice to see," associate head coach Stan Anderson said. "Parkside needed to push to get the equalizer, which allowed Steve (Sperl) and Troy (Spielmann) opportunities. They were patient and finished." The Panthers lost the shutout in the 89th minute. Parkside converted a penalty kick, beating second-half keeper Grant Fernstrum, low and to the left, to provide for the final 4-1 tally. "Parkside is a very good team that made the second round of the NCAA (Division II) Championships last season," Anderson said. "So it was nice to get a the result against a good team." Milwaukee 2, Minnesota Thunder 0 Bode backed up stellar goalkeeping from Mickschl, giving Milwaukee a first-half score. Neil Dombrowski took a free kick from near the end line, finding Bode for the score in the 35th minute for what proved to be the game-winner. "Bode's goal was simply hard work and determination," Anderson said. "He finished off of a foul their right back committed and he punished them for it." After halftime, Sperl scored this third goal of the weekend, off an assist from freshman Martin Castro. Castro converted a turnover by the Thunder's right back in the 70th minute, serving the ball into Sperl for the goal. "Sperl continued where he left off from Friday, constantly making himself dangerous," Anderson said. "Martin (Castro) also gave us some very solid work, leading to our second goal." Mickschl worked the first half of the game in goal, before giving way to Ferstrum. Ferstrum preserved the shutout with a solid half of play in the second half. "Eric (Mickschl) kept the score level by making two very good saves," Anderson said. "He stopped (his former teammate) Chris Brisson from close range and then former (University of Wisconsin forward) Jed Hohlbein from point blank range. His second save was a thing of beauty." The 2005 spring season continues for the Panthers, Saturday (April 16), at Valley Field in Milwaukee. UWM will play three games, beginning with a match against UW-Whitewater at 11 a.m. Milwaukee also plays DePaul at 12:15 and UW-Green Bay at 1:30 p.m.
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