Sept. 10, 2010

Box Score

SEATTLE, Wash. - A pair of second-half goals would seal up the UIC soccer team's 2-0 loss to Michigan at the Seattle University Tournament on Friday afternoon at Championship Field.

"Coming in to this weekend, we knew Michigan was a tough opponent," said head coach Sean Phillips.

"For 70 minutes, we held their high powered offense in check while creating the better attacking chances in the game. Unfortunately, we are still looking to turn these opportunities into some goals."

The Flames (0-2-0) and the Wolverines (2-1-0) battled through a scoreless first half before Justin Meram's shot in the 68th minute was deflected off UIC goalkeeper Steve Purdy, with Soony Saad tapping in the go-ahead goal.

Meram would set up Michigan teammate Alex Wood in the contest's closing minutes, as the Wolverines put the game out of reach for the Flames with a goal from in the box to go up 2-0.

"After their first goal, we pushed some numbers forward late in the game," said Phillips, "which allowed them to catch us off balance and get the second one late."

UIC's offense tallied 11 shots in the contest, and Moriba Diallo and Joe Radice would force goalkeeper Chris Blais to make a pair of saves in the 33rd minute. Purdy would make 11 saves in his second start. "We have another opportunity to reach our potential this Sunday against a good Gonzaga team," said Phillips.

The Flames' close out their weekend in Seattle with a 1 p.m. CST Sunday matchup with Gonzaga.