By Staff
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther soccer club finished their national tournament run at the University of Alabama in the Elite Eight.
Pool play, which began on Nov. 20 consisted of eight pools of three teams each, the top two teams in each pool advanced.
The Panthers took on the University of Southern California in their first match. Falling behind 1-0 early on, they were able to equalize quickly, but then gave up two more goals in the first half. They came out in the second with some urgency, firing on all cylinders, but were not able to gain any ground on the early deficit, and fell by a score of 3-1.
In the second match of Pool H, the University of Southern California defeated North Dakota State University by a score of 1-0.
The Panthers then faced North Dakota State University in the final match of pool play.
From the start they proved to be the better team and found themselves on top 4-2 at half time.
In the second half they were able to tack on two additional goals and pick up the victory by a score of 6-2, which advanced them into the Sweet 16 as the second seed from Pool H.
In the Sweet 16, the Panthers faced Michigan State University, who they defeated in the regional tournament 2-0.
This match proved to be much tougher than the previous as it was tied 0-0 at the end of regulation.
In overtime, the Panthers delivered the knockout punch with a cross which was headed into the upper corner of the goal and advanced them into the elite eight.
In the Elite Eight, the Panthers faced long time rival Indiana University.
At the regional tournament the Panthers defeated IU by a score of 1-0. At the end of both regulation and overtime the score remained 0-0, and had to be decided in a shootout.
In the shootout the teams were all tied up after three shots. Indiana shot first, and on the fourth shot, Milwaukee's goalie made huge save to give them an advantage.
The next shot for each team was made, making the score 4-4 with the Panther's final player having a shot to win the game. The shot was saved, sending the shootout into sudden death, where the panthers fell by a score of 6-5.
Indiana then advanced to defeat Ohio State University in the Final Four and then Colorado State University for the national title.
Next year the national tournament will be played in Tempe, Arizona where the Panthers hope to improve on this historic season.
Dowagiac's Adam Hess is a member of the Panther Soccer Club.