Nov. 3, 2004
Box Score
Chicago, Ill.- In the 2004 regular season finale, the University of Illinois at Chicago soccer team could not recover from a three-goal first period by Northwestern as the Wildcats downed the Flames, 4-1, in a non-conference match at Flames Field on Wednesday afternoon.
UIC (5-11-2) could not extend its six-year winning streak over the Wildcats (11-4-2), as Northwestern attacked a short-handed Flames defense, which was without starters Tonci Skroce (sprained ankle) and Adam Jones (hamstring) for the second straight game.
Pawel Otachel provided the Flames' only scoring of the day, as the junior rifled in a penalty kick in the 61st minute to cut the Flames' deficit to 3-1.
But the Wildcats were too much, scoring three unanswered in the first period, highlighted by an amazing bicycle kick in front of the goal by NU junior Brad Napper. Northwestern added another score late in the second period.
Northwestern has now won five ot its last six games, including a victory over perennial powerhouse and 2003 NCAA College Cup champion Indiana.
Jeff Engelbrecht notched a game-high three saves.
UIC will begin the Horizon League Tournament quarterfinals on the road this Saturday, as the Flames take on Wright State for the second time in seven days with a match in Fairborn, Ohio, at 6:00 p.m. Central time.
