A dominant penalty kick shootout was the ingredient for success as the Milwaukee men’s soccer team advanced in their first round game of the Horizon League tournament against Valparaiso at Engelmann Stadium on Monday night.
The game was knotted up all throughout, as the defenses were geared up for the entirety of the match. Between the two teams, only 28 total shots were attempted.
A close call for the Panthers came in the 107th minute off of a corner kick. The Crusaders worked the ball to the far end of the post. Thankfully, Josh Kaye was at the right place at the right time and cleared the ball off the line.
“I just saw the Valpo player at the back post jump really high and I stepped across and luckily it came to me,” Kaye said. “I just volleyed it away and had such a feeling of relief.”
In the extra minutes, Milwaukee landed four shots, the closest one being a near game-winner from the head of Sean Reynolds, who fired just wide in the 107th minute.
Milwaukee goalkeeper Oliver Haslund was on the top of his game, denying Kendan Anderson a go-ahead goal just minutes before the overtime ended.
The game would then be decided by penalty kicks after the match could not be decided in regulation. Haslund stepped up big right away when he started the shootout with a diving attempt that saw the ball bounce off his hands.
Kris Kelderman praised his goalkeeper’s efforts.
“Absolutely huge,” said Kelderman. “Ollie has been our guy for the last handful of games and he’s really played well for a freshman.”
The Panthers would have no trouble converting on their kicks. Josh Kaye, Jonathan Stadler, Nick Moon and Magnus Flaatedal all succeeed on their attempts, leaving the final kick for Saporito to finish. The game was concluded when the Valpo goalie guessed the correct way, but was unable to save Saporito’s shot.
The team will now travel to Dayton, Ohio, where top-seeded Wright State is set to host the final three games. Milwaukee will face No. 2 UIC in the first game on Thursday. It is scheduled for a 3 p.m. CST start.