The Panthers came from behind to draw Detroit Mercy 2-2 in their final regular-season game at Engelmann Stadium on Tuesday.
The result gives them the fourth seed in the Horizon League playoffs in a tightly packed conference from 1-7.
The Titans had no chance of making the playoffs coming into the game, but that didn’t stop them from spoiling the Panthers’ last game of the regular season.
“No disrespect to Detroit, they’re a team that’s out of the tournament, we have a home game, things are set up for us,” said head coach Kris Kelderman. “We just weren’t sharp enough in our defensive third and our attacking third to get the win.”
The game proved eventful despite the tie, with both teams combining for 47 shots. Milwaukee had 26 to Detroit’s 21.
Bienvenu Djunga scored the equalizing goal in the 83rd* minute to knot the game at 2.
After some chances from both teams, the game finished 2-2, Milwaukee’s eighth draw of the year.
Milwaukee ends the regular season with a (4-6-8) overall and (3-1-5) Horizon League record.
The Panthers only lost one conference game this year, a 2-4 loss on the road at Wright State.
“We’re tough to play against, we try to emphasize our team defense,” said defender Ryan Berghauer.
Game Review
Milwaukee threatened early, but Detroit struck first at the penalty spot in the 13th minute.
Defender Jack Wagner committed the foul and was given a yellow card. Wagner was subbed out shortly after. He came back into the game late and played a role in the equalizer.
Jack Bretzmann responded in the 19th minute to tie the game. Daiki Kumakawa played Bretzmann through, who capitalized on the one vs. one opportunity vs. Detroit’s goalkeeper.
The Titans took the lead once again when Guershom Sylvain scored off a tap-in.
Detroit went into halftime up 2-1.
After mounting Milwaukee pressure, the Panthers broke through in the 83rd minute.
A Jack Wagner long-ball was flicked on by Fernando Pirry to reach Djunga, who did the rest.
Low Goal Scoring Season
Angel Gongora and Pirry led Milwaukee with 5 goals this season. Four of Pirry’s goals came in the first half against Chicago State.
Other than a 9-1 win over Chicago State, the Panthers did not score more than two goals in any game on the season.
“We’re challenged offensively to try to make up giving the other team two goals,” said Kelderman. “That’s a big task for our team right now.”
Another Year With a Young Defense
The Panthers have sported a very young defense for the second year in a row.
Their backline has mostly consisted of Wagner (sophomore), Berghauer (sophomore), Breon Jarvis (sophomore), Pavle Ivkovic (freshman) and Mitch Goodman (redshirt-junior).
Kelderman said the defense has been the strength of his team throughout the season.
“Kudos to those guys having some quick success into an early career,” said Kelderman. “It’s exciting to see what these guys are going to look like next year and the year after, promising backline for sure.”
Panthers Play Better Behind?
Milwaukee has come back to earn draws multiple times this season.
“We play our best when we’re under duress,” said Kelderman. “We’re down a goal, and it shows the guys all of a sudden pick it up a notch, it’s like hey, ‘where was that a little bit earlier?’”
The Panthers have clawed back from a deficit to earn a point four times this season. They all happened in conference games facing Robert Morris, Oakland, Purdue Fort Wayne and Detroit Mercy.
Playoff Matchup
The Panthers’ playoff game will be at home against the fifth-seeded Robert Morris on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Milwaukee earned a 2-2 draw at Robert Morris earlier in the season on Oct. 25.
“It’s obviously win or go home, so it’s a different environment,” said Berghauer on the playoffs. “We try to treat every game the same, we obviously want to win every game, so we’re going to go out and play hard.”
The winner will head to Purdue Fort Wayne in the semifinals.