Pioneers battle to 2OT draw in season opener
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men’s soccer team battled it out to a 1-1 double overtime draw against Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in the 2019 season opener at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. The Pioneers forced the Raiders into their first tie since the 2015 season.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's soccer team battled it out to a 1-1 double overtime draw against Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in the 2019 season opener at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. The Pioneers forced the Raiders into their first tie since the 2015 season.
UW-Platteville (0-0-1) and MSOE (0-0-1) were locked 0-0 after the first half, in which the Raiders held a five-shot advantage over the Pioneers. The season opener marked the Pioneers' first game under the direction of head coach Sam Koenig and his squad entered the game with just three returning starters from the 2018 season. Testing out the field, the Pioneers were quick to call in substitutions and the changes influenced the flow of the first half.
In the second half, both teams were able to shake off the jitters of the first game of the season and fall into a grove and bring an exciting rally that had all fans in the stadium on the edge of their seats. Having only one shot in the first half to the Raiders' six, the Pioneers were quick to tally five shots in the second half.
MSOE was first on the board when Joey Schauer put the Raiders up 1-0 at the 57-minute mark. However, the Pioneers acted quickly and junior Tyler Gilmore drilled one in six minutes later to tie the game up once again. Gilmore's goal would stand to hold the Pioneers and Raiders in a stalemate to the end of the second overtime.
In a true battle in both overtimes, each team had opportunity, but defense on both sides carried the night to a tie. The Pioneers recorded two shots in OT and two in 2OT with each resulting in a MSOE save.
Overall, the Raiders held the advantage with 14-10 shots and ten on goal for MSOE with six on frame for the Pioneers. Senior Brendan Carr led the Pioneers with four shots and two on frame on the night.
Senior goalkeeper Nate Miller, one of the three returning starters from last season, proved he his leadership to the young Pioneer team making six saves to keep the Pioneers alive through the four periods of play.
Leading into tonight's game Koenig said, "We have a large freshmen class that is full of talent and will continue to develop over the next four years."
Looking deeper into this year's schedule Koenig shared, "We will be challenged with a difficult schedule. However, we are able to compete against top teams throughout the Midwest. This mentality to play the best on a consist basis will prepare us for big things down the road."
As for what is next, the Pioneers will return to Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 1 when they host Fontbonne at 1 p.m.
to Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 1 when they host Fontbonne at 1 p.m.