Oct. 5, 2008
Contact: Greg Murphy
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Slavisia Ubiparipovic blasted home a free kick into the upper righthand corner with his left foot from just outside the penalty box in the fifth minute of overtime to lift the Vikings to a 2-1 win over Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon at Krenzler Field.
CSU, which has won two straight overtime matches, improved to 3-6-2 overall and 2-2 in the Horizon League, while Milwaukee slipped to 3-4-4 (0-2-2 HL).
The win marked the first time CSU defeated the Panthers since a 2-1 win at Milwaukee on Sept. 18, 1989, a span of 19 matches.
"This was a big win for us and a great weekend overall," head coach Ali Kazemaini said. "The guys have been working so hard and we were able to get a few breaks today and come away with another overtime win. Hopefully, we will be able to build some momentum off these two wins and get on a little roll.
The Vikings controlled a majority of the first half in their end of the field and outshot the Panthers, 11-6. However, it was UWM that took the lead into halftime, using an Evan Bartzis goal in the 35th minute.
Robert Refai started the goal by dribbling up the sideline and sending a cross into the box. Eric Frazier one-touched the ball toward the back post where Bartzis controlled the ball and beat CSU keeper Nick Harpel to the near post for his third goal of the season.
It remained that way until the 80th minute when UWM goalkeeper Grant Fernstrum came charging off his line and was called for a foul in the box while making a play on the ball.
Mitch Boyer converted the ensuing penalty kick to knot the score at 1-1. It was Boyer's team-leading fourth goal of the season and his third on a penalty kick.
CSU had several scoring opportunities early in the game, including two by Stephen Byer in the 10th minute when he got a break on goal. However, Fernstrum came off his line to make a save and Byer's follow up attempt was cleared away by a Milwaukee defender.
Just 15 minutes later, the Vikings had a scrum in front of the Panther goal, but once again, a shot was turned away by a Milwaukee defender.
CSU outshot the Panthers, 16-12 and had a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Harpel made three saves to earn the win, while Fernstrum tallied five saves.
The Vikings will be back in action on Wednesday (Oct. 8) night when CSU hosts IPFW beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Krenzler Field for a nonconference match.
