Sept. 22, 2010

CHICAGO - The UIC soccer team looks to continue its winning ways as they host Cleveland State (2-4-0) and Detroit (1-4-1) this weekend at Flames Field to kick off Horizon League play.

Friday's contest against the Vikings (2-4-0) will begin at 7 p.m. CT while Sunday's match versus the Titans (1-4-1) will commence at 3 p.m.

The Flames (2-3-0) enter league action with two straight wins from the University of Akron Tournament last weekend, defeating Cincinnati and Cal State Northridge, 1-0 and 2-1, respectively.

UIC junior Derek Huffman leads the Flames this season with three points, including one goal and one assist. Senior goalkeeper Steve Purdy paces the league in saves with 29 and ranks fourth in Goals Against Average with a mark of 0.97.

"It's going to be nice to get back home and in front of the fans who have been so supportive of our program throughout the years," said head coach Sean Phillips. "The effort and results from this past weekend are going to carry on throughout the season, and that starts at home on Friday."

The last meeting between Cleveland State and UIC was a quarterfinal match of the 2009 Horizon League Championship which resulted in a 0-0 tie. However, the Vikings advanced to the semifinals, winning in penalty kicks.

In the last encounter with the Titans, UIC suffered a 4-2 loss in a regular season finale in Detroit.

Last year, the Flames finished the Horizon League regular season at 3-3-2, garnering a No. 5 seed in the end of the year championship.

Flames Field is located just south of the Physical Education Building at 901 W. Roosevelt Road on UIC's South Campus.