FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Media Relations

Box Score

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Aug. 21, 2014)-- Securing two goals in seven minutes, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside men's soccer squad made its 2014 competitive debut on the pitch, earning a 2-2 draw against Division I University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in an exhibition match on Thursday at Engelmann Stadium.

The host Panthers, preseason Horizon League favorites and 2013 NCAA Tournament qualifiers, opened the scoring in the 13th minute with Laurie Bell converting a penalty kick for the early 1-0 advantage. Milwaukee's lead lasted just 20 minutes before the Rangers equalized the score with an Elliott Schultz header goal off passes from Abraham Kanneh and Ryan Shogren.

Seven minutes later it was the Rangers again with Shogren scoring in the 40th minute with Scott Niccolai and Antonio Gonzalez earning assists. UW-Parkside enjoyed a 2-1 advantage at the break despite being outshot by an 8-4 margin.

"We survived a flurry at the start and after the penalty kick it was a back-and-forth affair," said Head Coach Jason Zitzke.

Milwaukee equalized in the 73rd minute with the foot of Bell again besting the Ranger backline, scoring off feeds from Patrick Ruhland and Aaron Horvat to net the score at 2-2.

Neither team was able to penetrate the goalmouth during the final 17 minutes, settling for a tie as the exhibition match was concluded after regulation, forgoing the standard two 10-minute sudden death periods utilized during the regular season.

"The second half we did a lot of defending," said Zitzke. "The four guys in the back: Mathew Yang, Edwin Gomez, Eric Moser and Ruben Torres did a pretty good job in their first time out and battled hard."

Marcos Perez handled all 90 minutes between the posts for Parkside, logging four saves on the evening. UWM operated with a goalie by committee rotation with three keepers seeing action, combining for two saves.

The Rangers open the lid on the regular season on Thursday, Sept. 4, hosting University of Saint Francis in a 3:30 p.m. non-conference clash at Wood Road Field.