Sept. 28, 2007

Box Score

Peoria, Ill.- Two unanswered goals by Missouri State's Yanik Joseph in the last 20 minutes of regulation erased what had been a dominant UIC performance on possession as the Flames were felled 2-1 in the first game of the Busey/Bradley Homecoming Classic on Friday night.

UIC (3-2-2) outshot Missouri State (3-5-1) by a whopping 23-5 margin, including a 15-2 advantage in the opening period. Pavle Dundjer launched a team-leading six attempts, Cesar Zambrano unleashed four of his own and nine other players put up at least one shot.

With six seconds remaining in the first half, UIC was awarded a penalty kick after a Missouri State foul in the box. Zambrano took the attempt and introduced the ball to the net easily to put the Flames ahead going into intermission.

But late in the second period the Bears took advantage of opportunities deep near the Flames' goal. A ball played into the box was headed by Joseph at the left post past keeper Jeff Engelbrecht to equalize the match in the 72nd minute.

15 minutes after Missouri State's first goal, the Bears struck again. Justin Barwick and Nick Dryden helped set up Joseph after controlling a ball that was whiffed on by a UIC back following a goal kick. The chance turned into a breakway for Joseph, who struck for the match-winner.

"We outshot a team 23-5 and couldn't find a way to win," said UIC head coach John Trask. "That's the story."

Trask gave no excuses for his team.

"You have to compliment Missouri State," said Trask. "No excuses. We should have won the game handily. We're not playingh well, we're not taking care of the things we need to take care of. It's a good thing we have 24 hours to make up for tonight."

Engelbrecht got the call to start between the pipes in his hometown of Peoria.

Zambrano converted his second penalty kick in four games with his strike on Friday.

UIC tangles with Bradley on Saturday night at Shea Stadium beginning at 7:30 p.m.