Feb. 17, 2002

Ann Arbor, Mich. - The No.13 University of Illinois at Chicago men's gymnastics team, hampered by injuries all season long, went into a Wolverine den Saturday night renamed as Cliff Keen Arena, and was soundly defeated by No.5 Michigan, 213.850-200.800.

The Flames struggled all night, competing without the services of freshman Keith Kerrigan who was out with a knee injury, while senior captain Matthew Soucie was not at full strength following a series of injuries of his own.

The Wolverines took each individual event title on their way to a season-high score.

The Flames' Neil Faustino won the all-around title with a solid score of 49.950. However, the freshman's streak of four consecutive vault titles was snapped, as Michigan's Ed Umphrey won the event with a score of 9.150.

Faustino's score of 9.050 was good for a third-place tie with teammate Jonathan Joyce, while Anthony Cirullo was second with a score of 9.100.

Freshman Tommy Kosanda and sophomore Matt Musielak added fourth-place finishes, with Kosanda on floor exercise (8.850) and Musielak on pommels (8.200).

The Flames will take on their fourth-straight Big Ten opponent next Saturday, Feb. 23, when they travel to the Twin Cities to face the Golden Gophers of Minnesota. Competition begins at 1:00 PM.