Independent Student Newspaper of UW Oshkosh Campuses

The Advance-Titan

Independent Student Newspaper of UW Oshkosh Campuses

The Advance-Titan

Independent Student Newspaper of UW Oshkosh Campuses

The Advance-Titan

Soccer plays final home game

"Jonathan Stanley fights for the ball in the Titans’ Oct. 24 match against UW-Whitewater. Stanley started all 17 games for UWO in his senior season, scoring two goals on 26 shots.  "
[/media-credit] “Jonathan Stanley fights for the ball in the Titans’ Oct. 24 match against UW-Whitewater. Stanley started all 17 games for UWO in his senior season, scoring two goals on 26 shots.
Trent Allison fields a pass in midair. The Titans finished the regular season 11-3-3 after defeating Finlandia University (Mich.) 5-1 on Oct. 28.
[/media-credit] Trent Allison fields a pass in midair. The Titans finished the regular season 11-3-3 after defeating Finlandia University (Mich.) 5-1 on Oct. 28.

The UW Oshkosh men’s soccer team ended its season as it defeated Finlandia University (Mich.) 5-1 on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Sophomore Javier Simon said they were going to have to play flawless soccer against Finlandia. “Finlandia is a very solid team,” Simon said. “We’re going to have to play our best if we want to be successful.s” After a scoreless first half, junior midfielder Jacob Hernandez netted the first goal of the game in the 48th minute, unassisted. A little over one minute later, Hernandez and sophomore defender Jakub Rys assisted junior forward Elias Efthimiou’s goal. The third goal of the half came from senior midfielder Malcolm Jeffris in the 62nd minute, which was assisted by freshman forward Tyler Howard. 40 seconds later, Finlandia started to make a comeback when freshman midfielder Jonathan Barnes scored on UWO senior goalkeeper Sam Gabrilska. The Titans’ put the Lions’ comeback to an end when freshman midfielder Drew Van Alstine netted UWO’s fourth goal of the game in the 67th minute with an assist by Hernandez. The Titans’ fifth and final goal came in the 86th minute from freshman midfielder Elijah Tesch which was unassisted. Oshkosh outshot Finlandia 34-1 in the match. Gabrilska and junior Kevin Schenk combined for zero saves in the net, while Finlandia’s freshman goalie Matthew Van Horn made 11. The Titans had senior night on Oct. 24 as they tied UW-Whitewater 0-0. Gabrilska said Saturday night’s game was the match of the season while the defense played as well as it has all season. “The support of the fans, the intensity of the rivalry and the realization that this very well could be the last match we played at Titan Stadium, had set up an emotional night and game that I’ll never forget,” Gabrilska said. “We dominated the entire game and both overtimes, but we just couldn’t finish them off.” Oshkosh’s offense put up 25 shots on goal, compared to Whitewater’s nine. Simon led the Titans with six shots on goal while Hernandez recorded five. UWO also had the advantage in corner kicks. They were awarded 10 and the Warhawks just five. Gabrilska made three saves in goal for the Titans while the Warhawks’ senior goalkeeper Alex Buchman recorded four. Saturday’s game was the third time this season the men’s soccer team played 110 minutes without scoring or allowing a goal. The team was not able to pull out a win on both its last home game of the regular-season and senior night, but Gabrilska said he is thankful for the support from a multitude of people this entire season. “We gave it everything we had in us,” Gabrilska said. “When the final whistle blew, you could feel the emotion starting to show throughout the stadium, but that’s what makes this team and this program something that you can’t replace.” Gabrilska said he can’t thank all of the supporters enough for what they have done throughout the season. “The fans, alumni, and coaches are always there for us and it showed after the game,” Gabrilska said. “They’ve been a huge contributor to our success on the field. It was awesome to celebrate 30-plus years of tradition after the game with people that were there when it all started.” The NCAA men’s soccer tournament will be announced on Monday, Nov. 9.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover
About the Contributor
Morgan Van Lanen, Editor in Chief

Comments (0)

All The Advance-Titan Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest