Join the Panthers at Miller Park Friday

Just a reminder to fans that the Panthers will be taking on Youngstown State in a doubleheader at Miller Park this Friday, April 29, starting at 3 p.m.

Unlike in the past, the Brewers are out of town, so the 3 p.m. start time will not be an approximate time. So, no waiting for the Brewers and Pirates to play 14 innings before the Panthers hit the field like last season!

Parking lots and gates open at 2 p.m. and admission for the games and parking are both free. Concession stands will be available until midway through the second game as well.

The Panthers will also be honoring the members of the 20th Anniversary Team that day, on the field in between games. Come out to recognize the finest players to put on a UWM uniform over the past 20 years as an NCAA Division I program. Kevin Conway of the Sports Information Office has designed an impressive poster that honors the team and will be given out that day (see image above).

Also, don't forget, fans have a chance to enjoy the games from the AirTran Landing Zone that day as well. That information is available below.

From 5 to 7 p.m., the Airtran Landing Zone will be open to Panther fans.
- For just $20, you get access to a great buffet including brat/hot dog, potato salad, beans, chips, cookies, unlimited soda and two beers.
- Pay in advance by cash, check, credit card. Online at http://www4.uwm.edu/give_to_uwm/makegift/online_giving.cfm
(then select UWM Baseball @ Miller Park in the dropdown).
- Space is limited, so sign up quickly.
-Questions and RSVP's can be addressed to Chris Ciancimino @ 229-3904 or ciancim2@uwm.edu

UWM Men Extend Unbeaten Spring Slate

The Panthers are now 5-0-2 after seven games, with assistant coach Ben Shepherd again taking the time to catch us up on the happenings from late last week.

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Thursday night saw us return under the lights at Engelmann Field, where where we played two 70-minute matches against Whitewater and the Bavarian Majors - a team which consisted of a lot of former alumni - many of whom had gone on to play professionally at some level. So, both games represented a good test for the boys.

In the first game against Whitewater, our play was much improved from the previous weekend against Lewis. And, although we went in at halftime scoreless, we had created a lot of good chances which we really should have capitalized on in all honesty. However, in the second half, the players continued to play good soccer and we eventually ran out comfortable winners gaining a 2-0 result, thanks to goals from Cody Banks (his sixth so far this spring) and freshman Kevin Ferron after a well-worked move.

In the second game against the Bavarians, the boys really played well in the first half and we went in at halftime with a commanding 4-0 lead, thanks to two goals from Robbie Refai - taking him to six goals this spring - as well as a penalty from Ross Van Osdol and an excellent strike from Kevin Ferron from outside the box.

Although the first goal was a mix-up at the back which gifted Robbie his first goal, at times our play was incisive and at a good tempo, as we passed the ball well and created some good chances - keeping things very simple which was pleasing to see.

In the second half, we were able to get everyone some good minutes and although we were not as dynamic as the first half. We ran out 6-2 winners with further goals from Robbie Boyd, who scored an excellent individual effort, and Edison Crespo after some good work down the right hand side, again from Robbie Boyd.

The Bavarian goals were netted by Neal Dombrowski, which was an excellent chip from just inside the box and a header from Adam Schultz.

Although our play was a little sloppy towards the end of the game, there were a lot of positives to come from the game overall and it was another good exercise for the team. It was pleasing to score eight goals on the night, with three freshman notching as well.

Next Sunday, May 1st, will see us finish out the spring as we play down at Valley Fields in the Wisconsin Cup with our first game slated for a 10 a.m. kickoff against Marquette. We look forward to seeing you all at the game.

Men's Soccer - Another Update

The Panthers are now 3-0-2 after five games, with assistant coach Ben Shepherd again taking the time to catch us up on the happenings from over the weekend.

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Saturday saw us play against NCAA Division II opponent, Lewis University. Although originally it was due to be played at Lewis, because of the severe weather the game had to be switched to Engelmann Field due to their pitch not being fit to play on.

It was a wet, cold and dreary day and unfortunately our play mirrored the conditions that we had to play in, as we played to a frustrating 1-1 tie. As a whole, it was a disappointing performance and result, although credit must go to Lewis as they showed why they are one of the best teams in Division II soccer - having reached the NCAA Final Four a year ago by really working hard to try and stop us playing.

In the first half our passing was not at its best and we conceded possession far too easily. Although we still created some good chances which should have been taken, we trialed at half-time, 1-0, to their only real attack on our goal, as they scored with a header after a good cross from the right hand side.

In the second half our play was slightly improved and we deservedly equalized through Robbie Refai after an excellent tackle from Richard Johnson released Robbie Boyd down the right to put in a great cross, that Robbie tucked away with ease.

After the goal, our speed and tempo of play was far better and we certainly finished the game the stronger, but were unable to get the goal that our second half probably deserved and the game finished in a draw.

Positives from the game were that Jamie Ashcroft looked commanding at the back and as a freshman is showing good leadership qualities. Robbie Refai scored another goal which took him to four goals in the last three games and with many players missing due to injuries, we were able to give a lot of time to the younger players in the squad to gain some valuable experience - we started the game with six freshman on the field.

The game also highlighted areas that we as a squad need to work on, and as overall, we were disappointed with our general play. But fortunately, we get to play again at Engelmann this coming Thursday as we take on Whitewater at 6 p.m. and then play the Bavarian Majors, which will consist of a lot of our Alumni at 9 p.m.

So, we hope to see as many of you as possible at the game ... and hopefully the weather improves!!

Blog Features Doug Dekoning and His Dad

A local blogger recently featured Milwaukee senior Doug Dekoning and his father, Bob, in a recent posting.

The website, called "Loud Mom in the Stands" did a Q&A session with Bob, sharing his thoughts on being a dad of a college athlete.

Find the complete entry HERE.

Dekoning is in the midst of a stellar senior campaign. He leads the Horizon League with a .398 average and is second with his .473 on-base percentage, .586 slugging percentage and 51 hits. He also paces the squad in runs (26), total bases (75), home runs (4), walks (16) and steals (8).

Jak Kraus Featured in Hometown Newspaper

Jak Kraus, a baseball player at Milwaukee from 1992-96, was featured in a story in his hometown newspaper over the weekend.

Kraus, originally from Fond du Lac, Wis., was named the third baseman on UWM's 20th Anniversary Baseball Team recently. Doug Whiteley of the Fond du Lac Reporter interviews Kraus and his story appears HERE.

Kraus batted .347 in 180 career games as a Panther, graduating as the program leader in average, games, at bats (515), hits (178), runs scored (137), doubles (43), triples (8), home runs (26), RBI (127), total bases (315), slugging percentage (.612) and walks (99). He went on to bat .336 in four seasons in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system.

Spring Update on the Men's Soccer Team

The Panthers have nine games scheduled for the spring season, which began on April 3. Already 3-0-1 through the first four games, assistant coach Ben Shepherd has taken the time to catch us up on the happenings from the first four matches.

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With our spring season off and running, I thought it appropriate to send out an update to let you know how things are progressing.

We kicked off the spring down at Northwestern April 3rd, where we played two back-to-back matches of 60 minutes against the Wildcats and Lewis.

In the first game against Northwestern, the match started off very scrappy for both teams and our play was, at times, a little rusty which we had expected with this being our first spring date. But, as the game wore on, our play greatly improved and although it ended a goalless draw, I think it is safe to say that after hitting the cross bar twice in the second half, that we had the better of the game and should have come out of it with a win. But, never the less, a clean sheet against a good Northwestern team was a pleasing result.

We then had a short 15-minute break before turning around to play NCAA Division-II opponent Lewis, who a year ago went to the NCAA Final Four. In the first half we looked a little tired and our play was not as fluent as we would have liked and we squandered possession far too easily. As a result, we trailed at the break 1-0 to a scrappy goal from a set-piece.

In the second half, the boys came out and really played well and our fitness levels really told as the game went on, as we began to break them down at will. We ended up winning the game, 3-1, with two good goals from Cody Banks and one from and Andrew Wiedabach, which was a well worked move. All in all, it was a very productive weekend and with a few players missing through injury, it gave everyone an opportunity to play and show what they can (and can't) do which for the coaching staff was good to see.

We returned to Engelmann Field, where we took on Concordia University and Cardinal Stritch in two 70-minute games April 9th. We beat Concordia 3-0, with two goals from Cody Banks and another from Robbie Refai and all three were very well-taken goals and all came within the first 25 minutes of the game.

In truth, we played some very good soccer at times, and really should have scored a lot more goals. The only disappointing aspect of our play was that we weren't more ruthless enough with our finishing; however, again at times we played some very good soccer which was pleasing to see.

In the second game we turned around and beat Cardinal Stritch, 3-1, in another decent performance with two goals from Robbie Refai and another from Cody Banks. We really were down to the bare bones with us having quite a few injuries, so many players had to play in different positions to what they are normally accustomed to. It was a good learning experience for them and the team as a whole.

Again, this was a productive weekend for the team and it was pleasing to see our forwards on the day in Robbie Refai and Cody Banks get three goals a piece and it was also pleasing to see U.S National Team Player, Gerardo Saavedra, make his debut in a UWM uniform after missing the entirety of last season through tearing his ACL in pre-season.

All of the squad has now played good minutes in our first two spring dates. We will head down to Lewis this Saturday for a one-off match slated for a noon kickoff, where we can hopefully continue to build on the momentum from our previous two matches.

I should also mention that this week the boys were able to take some time out from their schedules to help out at St. Vincent High School with the 'Special Olympics' where they helped to teach the kids basic soccer skills to help them have a fun and enjoyable experience. It was very rewarding for our guys to see how happy the kids were to have them there and we plan to do similar activities throughout the spring to continue to promote the program within the local community.

Don't forget that we will be back in Engelmann Field on Thursday, April 21st, where we will take on Whitewater at 6 p.m. and then the Bavarian Majors at around 8 p.m., and I hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Baseball on Time Warner Sports 32

The Panthers will play three home non-conference games this spring on Time Warner Cable's "Sports 32". The schedule was announced the last week in March and will feature Milwaukee's games against Carroll University April 12, Wisconsin Lutheran College April 19 and Northern Illinois University May 17.

More broadcast information will be made available for the May 17th date, as Scott Warras and Scott Wisniewski call all the action from Henry Aaron Field.

At this time, we have the broadcast information for both the Carroll game that was played Tuesday and the upcoming contest against Wisconsin Lutheran.

UWM vs. Carroll
Wednesday, April 13: 7 - 9:30 pm
Thursday, April 14: 8:30 - 11 am
Sunday, April 17: 7 - 9:30 pm

UWM vs. Wisconsin Lutheran
Wednesday, April 20: 7 - 9:30 pm
Thursday, April 21: 1 - 3:30 pm
Saturday, April 23: 12:30 - 3 pm