Sept. 1, 2006

Box Score

Chicago, Ill.- Two goals from Cesar Zambrano and Pavle Dundjer's first goal of the season propelled the UIC soccer team to a 3-0 blanking of visiting UMKC at Flames Field on Friday night.

The Flames (2-0-1) continued their air-tight defensive play by blanking the Kangaroos (0-3-0) for UIC's third consecutive shutout to begin the season.

The scoring started in the sixth minute when Zambrano sent a ball toward the middle of the box, where Dundjer corralled the pass and booted a quick strike past UMKC keeper Ricardo Guerra to put UIC at an early goal advantage.

Zambrano then went on his own scoring binge. Dan Simek's interception in Kangaroo territory helped him set up Zambrano, who drove right and fired in a laser past Guerra to extend the lead to 2-0 in the 75th minute.

Two minutes later Zambrano was at it again. Touches by Simek and Derek Kosek ended up in a possession for Zambrano, who converted quickly in the penalty box to post the first multi-goal game of his collegiate career.

"I thought it was a very mature performance," said UIC head coach John Trask. "We did what we needed to do to win against a team we should beat on two days rest when [UMKC] had a week off.

"It was great to see Roman Tulis, Brodey Simkins, Cedomir Micic and others get in," Trask continued. "The spark of Eric Cervantes off the bench, the play of Brandon Bilbrey and Pawel Ligas in starting roles with us being down a few guys due to suspension and injury was exciting."

Trask also gave kudos to the game's scoring star.

"You just know when Cesar gets the ball in those situations, he's going to score," said Trask. "No doubt."

Jovan Bubonja earned his third straight clean sheet, making three stops in just under 83 minutes before giving way to Roman Tulis.

The Flames played Friday's match without two usual starters. Alen Husidic sat out the game after receiving a red card on Wednesday, while Baggio Husidic was held out due to injury.

While the win tasted sweet, Trask knows that his players still have some work to do.

"I still believe to be a team of national prominence, we have to have a more cutthroat approach around goal," said Trask. "We need a bit of venom in our attack."

UIC will have a chance to increase the venom in its attack this Sunday, when the Flames host in-state rival and 2005 NCAA Tournament team Bradley at Flames Field in a 7:00 p.m. contest.