Oct. 7, 2009
Box Score
CHICAGO- The UIC men's soccer team held the nation's top-ranked side scoreless for nearly 72 minutes, but the Flames could not hold off a late offensive charge by No. 1 Akron in a 3-1 loss at Flames Field on Wednesday night.
The Flames (3-3-4) saw a six-match unbeaten streak snapped while the Zips (10-0-0) won their 10th consecutive contest in the first-ever appearance by a consensus No. 1 team at UIC's pitch.
Kevin Stoll scored his second goal of the year and just the second goal Akron has allowed all season.
Despite constant pressure from the country's No. 1 team, the Flames snuffed out numerous Akron attacks throughout the first half.
The Flames put on an offensive push of their own 12 minutes into the second half. A close-range shot by Stoll was stopped by keeper David Meves, and the rebound gathered by Zach Tierney was lifted for a shot that met the crossbar and denied UIC an opening tally.
Akron went back on the attack and eventually broke through in the 72nd minute. Blair Gavin dribbled up the middle and toward the top of the box and launched a laser that was untouched as it went into the net.
A run up the left flank allowed Michael Nanchoff to find Kofie Sarkodie in front of the frame, where the Zips' right back banged in the second goal of the night.
UIC got on the board in the 89th minute, when a ball from the far left corner of the box by Josh Beard was booted toward the right of the target by Tierney. The ball found the noggin of a charging Stoll, who slammed it down past the line and cut the deficit in half.
But the Flames' full push forward allowed the Zips to score on a breakaway by Teal Bunbury for a dagger with 64 seconds left on the clock.
"I didn't think we played well in the first half and we didn't have enough of the ball, but I thought in the second half we started to come alive a little bit and threaten them," said UIC head coach John Trask. "You have that flurry in front of goal [12 minutes into the second half], what could have been, should have been.
"That's a heck of a good soccer team," Trask said of Akron. "They have quality at every position, they're disciplined, they're athletic, they're tough."
Jovan Bubonja made six saves on the evening.
Wednesday was the Flames' RED OUT match sponsored by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, a contest in which 962 fans came out supporting the home side.
UIC plays a big Horizon League road game at Green Bay this Saturday.
Fans can listen to podcasts featuring exclusive interviews with UIC head coaches, staff and student-athletes in two ways:
1. Download the free UIC Athletics Widget and click on the "UIC Flames Podcasts" link
2. Download podcasts for free on iTunes by searching "UIC Flames."
Fans wishing to learn more about affordable and flexible UIC ticket plans are encouraged to call 312-413-UIC1 or visit www.uicflames.com and click on the "Tickets" tab on the Flames home page.
