UIC (5-5-3, 3-2-1 HL) earned one point and ran their unbeaten streak to six in a 0-0 draw with Northern Kentucky (6-3-4, 2-2-2 HL) Saturday afternoon.  The Flames put 11 shots on goal, but each one was saved.  Sawyer Jackman made two saves to keep the Norse off the scoreboard.

"Obviously it's not the result we were looking for, though I thought our guys created enough chances to get the result for us.  Northern Kentucky was very well organized and difficult to break down," head coach Sean Phillips said.

Game Headlines

• Norse Test Jackman Early: UIC held possession for most of the early going, but the best scoring chance went to Northern Kentucky on a third-minute shot that forced Sawyer Jackman to make a save.
• Flames Get Opportunities in Bunches: The Flames put on a flurry of shots starting at the 22 minute mark.  Markell Saddler created an opportunity that was blocked.  Oscar Gonzalez and Peter Becht each forced Jim Barkei to make a save; Barkei's reaction to Becht's shot off a spin move was especially skillful.
• "Their goalkeeper turned in an outstanding performance and should be complimented for keeping the shutout," Phillips observed.
• Each Keeper Tested: Both teams had chances in the final five minutes of the first half.  NKU sent in a free kick from the midfield circle that Jackman had to catch surely.  Substitute Max Todd forced Barkei to dive to his right to keep a low-struck ball out of the net.
• Flames Unable to Finish: The Flames had two golden opportunities at the hour mark.  Becht got behind the defense and saw an open net, but couldn't strike the ball hard enough to get it over the line before Barkei regrouped and dove to poke it away.  Later in the possession, Todd launched a shot toward the far post that Barkei could do nothing but watch, but the ball hit the post and bounded away.
• "We were not good enough in the final third to do what we've been doing in terms of finishing our final touches and scoring goals," a frustrated Phillips noted.
• Flames Just Miss in OT: The first opportunities of overtime belonged to UIC.  Oscar Gonzalez hit the post on a shot, and seconds later Jacob Graiber sent a header over the bar.
• Final Flurry For Naught: The Norse had the advantage early in the second overtime but UIC blocked two of their shots.  The Flames had the best chances of the final period.  On a set piece, Becht headed a ball into the ground, hoping for a bounce into an open net, but a Norse defender made the play.  Off the rebound, Gonzalez pushed a shot high.  Becht tried again in the final 20 seconds, but Barkei was able to make his 10^th save and preserve the draw.
• "Northern Kentucky is difficult to play against, especially at home, but I believed we would get a goal or two today," Phillips continued.  "They had a really good plan to limit our chances, but still we created enough to get the result.  Again hats off to their keeper for making timely saves, some of which were outstanding."

Facts and Figures

• The Flames used the same First XI as they did last game against Green Bay.  It's the first time the same starters were sent out in consecutive games this season, after 11 straight changes to the lineup.
• This was UIC's first overtime match in Horizon League play, but their fifth overall this season.  That exceeds their total from last season; however UIC played six overtime matches in both 2015 and 2014.
• UIC shut out an opposing side for the first time in 2017.  Jackman earned his first shutout as a Flame.
• Becht paced UIC with six shots, five of which went on goal.  Both were season highs for the freshman.
• Shots favored UIC by a slight margin, 22-17, but the Flames dominated in shots on goal, 11-2.
• The Flames were flagged for offside a season high five times.
• UIC took 11 corner kicks to the Norse's three.
• NKU was shown three of the match's four yellow cards.

Up Next

• Another road test looms on Tuesday evening.
• The Flames will face another in-state rival, Bradley.
• Kickoff will be at 5:00 from Peoria.
• Phillips looked ahead, saying "we have to learn and grow from this game.  We have another in-state rival in Bradley on Tuesday which should be another opportunity for us to challenge ourselves so we can become a better team."