Titans Make First-Half Scores Hold Up In Home Opener

First-half goals by Chris Whalen and Jan Nachtigall lifted the UW-Oshkosh men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan University on Saturday (Sept. 7) at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium. The match marked the home opener for the Titans.

UW-Oshkosh, which entered the contest ranked 21st in the NCAA Division III by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, took the lead for good when Whalen headed in a shot during the 16th minute (15:40) of play. His first goal as a Titan came off a serve from Chris Kurth.

The Titans (3-0) doubled their lead and closed the game's scoring on Nachtigall's eight-yard kick in the 39th minute (38:33) of action. The unassisted score marked the first collegiate goal for Nachtigall.

Second-half play went scoreless despite a 10-2 advantage in shots for UW-Oshkosh. The Titans finished the game with 13 scoring attempts, including two each by Nachtigall, Kirby Allen, Trent Allison, Jonathan Stanley and Tony Starnes.

Nebraska Wesleyan University, which became UW-Oshkosh's third straight shutout victim, was held to just six shots. The Prairie Wolves (1-1) were led by the two shots of both Stephen Boakye and Colby Twist.

UW-Oshkosh goalkeeper Sam Gabrilska saved two shots, one in each half, to run his string of consecutive scoreless minutes to 270. Turner Mead saved four shots, three in the second half, while guarding the goal for Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Former UW-Oshkosh men's soccer player Sean Steele coaches the Prairie Wolves, who were 1-1-1 in their previous three meetings with the Titans.

UW-Oshkosh hosts Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) on Sunday (Sept. 8) at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.