HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Paolo Gratton scored in the 20^th minute and Nick Chiappa posted a four-save shutout – highlighted by a stop of a second-half penalty kick – to send the Milwaukee men's soccer team past Northern Kentucky Saturday by a final score of 1-0 in the Horizon League Tournament Championship at NKU Soccer Stadium.
 
"We came into this knowing it was going to be a difficult match," head coach Kris Kelderman said. "Hats off to Northern Kentucky for having a great season. We knew it was going to be quite a challenge – not only because of the season they had, but they are a physical team; a very tough team. We came into it very excited, with the opportunity to play for the championship."
 
The Panthers (8-4) claimed their sixth Horizon League Tournament Championship in program history and first since 2013 with the victory, knocking off the nationally-ranked and top-seeded Norse (7-2) to earn the school's 10^th NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
"It's very rewarding," Kelderman said. "For us to accomplish what we have done, the guys have hung in there. I can't be more proud of these guys. The sacrifices they have made during the season with COVID and everything else. The challenges that the student-athletes have had to deal with and we were the only team in the conference to get all 10 scheduled games in and get them played. That comes from being fortunate, being good on and off the field, having some luck with the weather. Knowing the challenges we have had, this is a big deal for our group and having the opportunity to go to the national tournament."
 
It was Gratton – named the MVP of the tournament – in the first half, scoring his 11^th goal of the season at the 19:34 mark on a rebound in front of the net.
 
The play started on service to the penalty area from Shawn Azcueta, finding the head of Quinn Rechner. His pass went to Logan Farrington, who saw his header stopped at the line by the NKU keeper. Gratton was in the right place at the right time, slamming home the rebound for what turned out to be the only goal of the contest.
 
Chiappa played well all day. He started the first half with a pair of nice saves early, keeping it 0-0 with stops in the 15^th and 17^th minutes. He then made the play of the game early in the second half.
 
A penalty kick was awarded to the Norse just 32 seconds after intermission. Chiappa was up to the task, making the huge save to turn momentum back in Milwaukee's favor in the blink of an eye.
 
A red card on the Norse in the 49^th minute then changed the complexion of the match, with Milwaukee in charge the rest of the way – outshooting NKU 13-3 in the second half alone to earn the 17-to-7 advantage on the day against a team that came into the contest ranked in all of the national polls – including as high as No. 22 in this week's United Soccer Coaches national poll.
 
The offense kept trying to find that second goal – putting pressure on the Norse defense all throughout the second half. Kasper Davidsson forced a tough save on a free kick in the 48^th minute, with a Gratton header on the rebound flying just wide of the left post.
 
Raul Medina was fouled hard in the 49^th minute, narrowly missing the upper-90 on his free kick that followed.
 
Gratton almost added to his amazing season next – he ranks in the Top 5 in the NCAA with his 11 goals – missing a 12^th goal by inches when he sent a header off the crossbar in the 54^th minute.
 
Logan Farrington saw a great stop made by Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year Daniel Bermingham when he came off his line in the 69^th minute, thwarting a great chance to convert following a pass from Abdu Regassa on a one-timer.
 
One more big moment from the MKE defense sealed the victory and it came on a Norse corner in the 77^th minute. It was Azcueta again, standing his ground on the far post, where he was able to knock a possible equalizer off the line and keep his team with the one-goal advantage.
 
In addition to the 17-7 advantage in shots, MKE also held the 6-5 edge in shots on goal and 6-4 tally in corner kicks at the end of the day. Farrington (6 shots) and Gratton (4 shots) paced the offense. Gratton was joined on the all-tournament team by Chiappa, Davidsson, Farrington, and Jake Kelderman.
 
"I feel like we've been playing our best soccer at the right time," Kelderman said. "The last four games have been excellent. We have been getting better and better week to week. Couldn't be more proud of our guys to fight through a tough match today and at the end of the day, we are victorious and very happy."
 
The NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Selection Show will air Monday, April 19 at 11 a.m. NCAA.com. Look for the link to the show will be on the front page of NCAA.com.
 
2020 Horizon League Men's Soccer All-Tournament Team
Paolo Gratton, Milwaukee (MVP)
Nick Chiappa, Milwaukee
Kasper Davidsson, Milwaukee
Logan Farrington, Milwaukee
Jake Kelderman, Milwaukee
Roberto Burlew, Northern Kentucky
Daniel Bermingham, Northern Kentucky
Justin Earle, Northern Kentucky
Ben Hegge, Northern Kentucky
Roberto Alonzo, UIC
Alwin Seitz, UIC