Sept. 28, 2008
Box Score
Chicago, Ill.- Kevin Stoll's go-ahead first-half goal and Phillip Mitchell's insurance tally in the second period sent the 10th-ranked UIC men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Detroit at Flames Field on Sunday afternoon.
The Flames (7-0-2, 2-0-0 Horizon League) stayed unbeaten while running their streak of consecutive shutouts to four matches.
In the 24th minute Baggio Husidic sent in a ball that entered a fray in the box. The sphere eventually landed in the possession of Stoll, who unleashed a shot from near the top of the box that escaped Titan keeper Bryan Kloss.
With UIC keeper Jovan Bubonja (four saves) and the home defense halting Detroit (2-6-0, 1-1-0 Horizon League) attacks, the Flames remained ahead by a goal until they extended the lead in the 83rd minute. Husidic delivered a ball that found Mitchell in front of the frame for a clean look at the target, resulting in a dagger of a goal.
"A good result," said UIC head coach John Trask. "We're halfway through the season undefeated, and you can't ask for much more.
"This was a weekend that we didn't get results against Detroit and Cleveland State last year," said Trask. "We tied those two games, and it hurt us in the long run. I thought the guys came with a very good attitude this weekend. Seven goals and zero given up when you look at the whole context of the weekend, we'll take it and we'll move on."
Trask pointed out two players in particular who played key roles in Sunday's win.
"Paul Kopec and Matt Spiess were outstanding today," said Trask. "It doesn't ever show up on the scoresheet, but the intensity and the work rate and the sharpness and the desire they displayed, I really felt that they were the ones who set the tone for us today, and it's great to see that. You can't always rely on Baggio or some of these other guys."
Sunday's result gave UIC a 7-0-2 start to a season for the second time in three years, with the Flames holding the same record after nine games in 2006.
UIC travels to Milwaukee, Wis. this Thursday to face Marquette at 7 p.m.
