Nov. 2, 2010
CHICAGO - The UIC men's soccer team will look to win its fourth-consecutive game, and third-straight on the road, when the Flames travel to Madison, Wis., to take on Wisconsin in a non-conference game at the McClimon Complex Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m.
UIC (7-9, 3-4 Horizon) is coming off Sunday night's 2-1 win over host Valparaiso in double-overtime. Eric Frazier scored both of the Flames' goals, sealing UIC's first three-game winning streak of the season, and its third road victory during Horizon League play. The Flames will also be seeking their second win versus a Big Ten Conference opponent this season, after defeating nationally-ranked Ohio State, 1-0, on Oct. 13.
Wisconsin, who is under the first-year direction of former UIC head coach John Trask, is 2-12-2 on the season. But in their last home game, the Badgers shut out Horizon League foe Milwaukee, 2-0 (Oct. 27).
"Wisconsin's record definitely does not indicate how good of a team they are," said UIC head coach Sean Phillips. "They are young, talented, and well-coached. It's another great challenge for our guys to play a team out of the Big Ten, and to continue to play well down the stretch of the regular season."
In UIC's two wins last week, Frazier scored three goals. His tally with just under 10 minutes remaining in regulation against Eastern Illinois (Oct. 27) gave the Flames a 1-0 win. Then, with less than five minutes remaining in double-overtime last Sunday at Valpo, Frazier scored his second-straight game-winner on an unassisted goal from about 18 yards out. His first goal against the Crusaders came just three minutes into the game.
In the past five games, Frazier has tallied eight points on three goals and two assists. He has recorded 16 points on the season, which ranks fourth in the Horizon League. Senior goalkeeper Steve Purdy has dished out three shutouts in the past five games, and in that span, has recorded a 0.69 goals-against-average with 16 saves.
Wisconsin has netted eight goals in its last four games, and posted back-to-back three-goal games against Green Bay (Oct. 20) and Northwestern (Oct. 23). Freshman Chris Prince has 14 points on seven goals this season to surpass last year's individual scoring leaders' seven-point efforts.
Senior Ryan Vint and freshman Max Jentsch have both seen time in net for the Badgers -- Vint has made 47 saves on 121 shots (61 on goal) for a .770 save percentage and a 1.37 GAA. Meanwhile, Jentsch has made 28 saves, facing 76 shots (41 on goal), and he earned his first career shutout against Milwaukee (Oct. 27).
