Box Score

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside men's soccer team overcame a sloppy performance to earn a 2-1 conference win over Maryville University. Jorge Artavia's goal in the 66^th minute broke a 1-1 deadlock and helped the Rangers to their fifth straight win at home this season. They improved to 3-2-1 in the GLVC and 5-2-1 overall. Maryville fell to 1-5-0 in the league and 2-6-1 overall.

“That was just an ugly game,” said Head Coach Jason Zitzke. “It's disappointing when throughout most of the year we've been very organized and had great communication. Today we were just all over the place.”

The Rangers struck pay dirt in the opening minutes as they pressed hard to begin the game. The score game at 3:07 when Jon Gourlay finished a pass from Ryan Crane right in front of the net, for his fifth goal of the season. Parkside actually had a great chance prior to the goal but Spencer Bursten's shot from just in front was saved.

“Sometimes when you score early you think you've got things in hand,” said Zitzke of the Rangers sloppiness after the strong start. “Throughout the game though there were moments our forwards were making good runs and putting themselves into some dangerous positions. Two forwards scored and that's big for their confidence and for us and our attacking mindset.”

The Rangers controlled the first 15 minutes but Maryville answered and started to swing momentum. At 17:23 Kory Dowell got free on the right wing and fired one home to tie the score at one. Nick Doherty assisted him with a touch pass from the top of the box as the Saints got right back in it.

From there things evened up dramatically and despite a 10-4 advantage in shots at the half for UWP, the Saints had some good opportunities turned away as well. Andrew Krenzien did a clean look at a header with about five minutes left in the half but Bobby Niedzwiecki grabbed it to preserve the halftime tie.

Maryville came out firing in the second half and had the best chances early. Goalie Ryan Onwukwe turned away a couple of dangerous crosses and kept things even.

“We got another strong performance from our goalkeeper today,” said Zitzke. “Those guys have both been playing well and Ryan made some strong plays today to keep them from scoring opportunities.”

Artavia finally helped the Rangers break through for the lead at 65:28. Niklas Boedts started things with a long throw-in over the top of the defense. Spencer Bursten won a foot race to the ball in the open field and laid a perfect cross to the opposite side as Artavia finished it off.

That goal would prove to be the winner as Onwukwe continued to be sure handed on balls in the box. The win was his third on the year making him 3-1-1. Despite being outshot 15-11, the Saints gave the Rangers all they could handle on Sunday.

 “They were a pretty dangerous opponent today,” said Zitzke “They gave us fits all over the field, scored a nice goal, and it was a very tight contest. Just another GLVC match.”

Parkside will now look to take its momentum onto the road on Friday. The Rangers will face the defending national champions and #1-ranked, Northern Kentucky University. Game time for that match is set for 4:00 p.m. (CST) on Friday afternoon. Check back later this week for links to follow the Rangers at NKU.