Milwaukee City Wire

The Milwaukee men's soccer team played to a 0-0 draw against Cleveland State at Engelmann Stadium on Saturday evening. Goalkeeper Nic Diana made four saves, including a first-half penalty kick stop, helping the Panthers extend their unbeaten streak at home to 13 matches. This ties the program record for consecutive home games without a loss, set in 2002.

Milwaukee had more chances than Cleveland State but could not convert any into goals. The Panthers finished with a 16-9 advantage in total shots and held the Vikings to just nine attempts overall.

"We had chances and I felt we deserved three points out of this," head coach Kris Kelderman said. "I mean, I am satisfied with the tie – we are still unbeaten at home and it's a conference game so you get one point – but I thought we had some chances where we should be walking away with at least one goal. The team defense has been very good. We just need someone to step up and score a goal or two for us."

Diana's key save came in the 29th minute when he stopped Cleveland State's best scoring opportunity of the night by diving to block a penalty kick.

"Nic did his job," Kelderman said. "He stepped up and did his job and I think that gives everyone some energy when that happens. He came up big for us."

The Panthers' defensive effort limited opportunities for Cleveland State throughout the match, starting with an early save by Diana in the fifth minute off a free kick.

"It was really good defense, and it starts with the guys pressing up front, the midfield, and then the goalkeeper," Kelderman said. "I thought our chances were much better than theirs – they didn't have many chances, if any, besides the penalty kick they had – and that comes down to good team defense. I feel really good about that."

Bienvenu Djunga led Milwaukee's offense with six shots out of 16 taken by the team. He nearly scored late in the first half but was denied by Cleveland State’s goalkeeper at the post.

Ryan Polling also contributed defensively for Cleveland State by saving Jack Wagner’s header early in the second half after passes from Miguel Rivera Cardona and Ryan Berghauer.

Milwaukee continued creating opportunities after halftime, including a close attempt from Djunga following an assist sequence involving Breon Jarvis and Alejandro Zuniga in the 78th minute. Fernando Pirry also saw an effort saved on a header from a Zuniga corner kick late in regulation.

"I thought we came out and were better in the second half," Kelderman said. "I thought the first half was kind of a pretty 'blah' game for both teams. It wasn't the most exciting game to watch. As the game started, both teams were trying to feel the other out a little bit and I think that carried on for 45 minutes. I thought we were better in the second half, more energy, more willingness to go forward. We created more chances, and I thought our possession got better as well."

Both teams finished even across several categories: each had four shots on goal, four corner kicks apiece, committed 15 fouls each, and received one yellow card per side.

Saturday night also marked alumni recognition for Milwaukee men’s soccer; over 50 former players attended as part of celebrations honoring all eras since 1973.

"We had a great turnout from our alumni, which was super-exciting," Kelderman said. "Would have been nice to get a win for those guys, but overall, a pretty good evening."

Milwaukee will next play St. Thomas on Tuesday in an away non-conference matchup scheduled for 4 p.m.