Sept. 17, 2006

Box Score

Boca Raton, Fla.- Cesar Zambrano and Brodey Simkins each scored a pair of goals to lead 11th-ranked UIC's offensive onslaught in a 5-0 win over Florida Atlantic on Sunday afternoon.

Pavle Dundjer also scored a goal for the Flames (6-0-2), who extended their school-best unbeaten start to eight matches.

Jovan Bubonja and Jeff Engelbrecht teamed up for UIC's second consecutive shutout and fifth clean sheet of the year. Bubonja stopped four shots on goal while Engelbrecht made two saves.

UIC began the scoring on Dundjer's amazing free kick from nearly 30 yards out in the 38th minute. Five minutes later Simkins hit the back of the net to extend the UIC lead to 2-0 going into intermission.

Simkins struck again just 17 seconds into the second period. The senior forward captured the ball from Florida Atlantic's Ryan Kinsley and putted the ball past Owl keeper Phillip Lamarre for his second goal of the game.

Zambrano got into the act nine minutes after Simkins' second score, taking a feed from Tonci Skroce and crossing a shot past Lamarre to extend the Flames' advantage to 4-0.

In the 86th minute Zambrano lit up the scoreboard for the second time with a 12-yard beam that hugged the net and gave UIC its largest advantage of the year to date.

"A really nice performance," said UIC head coach John Trask of his team's overwhelming victory. "This was the third time this year that the guys encountered tough conditions, with the 90 degree temperature and intense humidity, and they really stepped it up.

"You take a look at this result in comparison to our last two trips to California, and it really shows the growth of this team," said Trask, referring to the Flames' draws against UC Irvine and Cal Poly following victories against ranked opponents. "We received answers to our questions about this team during this non-conference stretch, and now we look ahead to the Horizon League schedule and a huge showdown with Detroit next Sunday."

Trask applauded the play of Simkins, who has scored three times in the last three games and helped create another goal in Friday's match.

"Brodey was big," Trask said. "He continues to set a great example on and off the field."

The UIC head coach was also impressed by the improved play of Dundjer and his goal on Sunday in particular.

"An unbelievable free kick by Pavle," said Trask. "To connect on that from 30 yards out in this heat was exquisite."

UIC overcame the absence of Alen Husidic and Mike Giffin on the backline due to red card suspensions with hustle and stout play from numerous reserves.

"It was great to see Jeff Engelbrecht in there and playing well," said Trask. "To see Ian Sarachan, Jed Schenkier and Cedomir Micic come in, get extensive minutes and play well was also a great sign and speaks a lot about our depth."

Florida Atlantic (2-5-0) was credited with 11 shots for the match, two more than the Flames. But UIC proved to be more efficient on its offensive attempts, converting on five of its eight shots on target.

UIC will open the Horizon League season on the road at Detroit next Sunday.