Sept. 24, 2000

Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS - If the Butler Bulldogs had a leash, they would try to put it on University of Illinois at Chicago forward Eric Lukin.

Lukin, however, would just chew through it and bite Butler again.

Lukin, a senior forward, posted his second hat-trick in as many games against Butler to propel UIC to the 4-1 Midwestern Collegiate Conference opening victory on the road.

Last season, Lukin found the back of the net four times in a 5-1 victory over the Bulldogs.

"We expected the same results as last year," UIC coach Sasha Begovic said. "That's because we are a much better team."

Lukin put the Flames on the board first after he took a Dennis King throw-in and fired a blast inside the right post.

Lukin increased UIC's lead to 2-0 a little over a minute later after he converted a crossing pass by senior midfielder Greg Chrisman for his second goal of the day.

King later assisted Steve Collins as he found the sophomore forward streaking towards the goal for UIC's third goal of the day. That tally marked Collins' first in a Flames' uniform.

King, a freshman, put a cap on his day with another assist on a Lukin goal at the 56:19 mark.

King became the first UIC player to post three assists in a game since Rod Navascues had four in 1996.

For the game, Butler outshot UIC 11-9. UIC starting goalkeeper Chris Jamal stopped four shots for the victory. Scott Greene added two more saves in goal for the Flames.

Sunday's game featured some physical play as five yellow cards were issued while Butler recorded 27 fouls to UIC's 18.

UIC will host University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee at Flames Field on Wednesday, September 27, 2000.