Nov. 11, 2009
Box Score
CLEVELAND, Ohio- The UIC men's soccer team had used penalty kick shootouts to advance in postseason play at least once in each of the last three seasons.
But the Flames were unable to accomplish such a feat in a fourth consecutive campaign after falling in a four-round penalty kick session to host Cleveland State in the quarterfinals of the 2009 Horizon League Championship at Krenzler Field on Tuesday night.
The Flames conclude their season with a 6-6-7 overall record.
The Vikings (7-7-5) advance to play top-seeded Butler in the semifinals this Friday.
The two sides engaged in a defensive struggle on the damp pitch. Both teams combined for four total shots in the first half.
The second half was not much different. UIC created the most post-intermission opportunities with five shots and three corner kicks, but neither team was able to light the scoreboard after 90 minutes of regulation.
Physicality was the name of the game as neither defense gave in. UIC and Cleveland State combined for 20 fouls in the first half, and the Flames were whistled for 10 fouls in the second half as a total of 41 offenses between the two clubs were called.
Two overtime sessions produced nothing in terms of scoring, sending the match to PKs.
As has been the case since 2006, Jovan Bubonja chose UIC's penalty kick lineup and led off. He continued his streak of perfection at PKs by nailing the first.
Mitch Boyer of Cleveland State converted his attempt to even the shootout, and from there it was Viking keeper Brad Stuver who saved the day. Kicks by Ian Sarachan, Kevin Stoll and Derek Huffman were blocked by Stuver, while Marco DiFranco converted the go-ahead PK and Josh Williams iced the game in the hosts' favor with the decisive third score.
Bubonja ended his amazing collegiate career as it began: with a clean sheet. He ends his decorated four-year UIC tenure with a record of 42-17-23, 39 shutouts, 243 saves and a goals-against average of 0.65. He owns career school records in wins, shutouts and goals-against average.
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