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Graiber Celebration vs Bradley
Bradley Athletics
2
Winner UIC UIC (6-5-3)
1
Bradley BRAD (8-6-1)
Winner
UIC UIC
(6-5-3)
2
Final
1
Bradley BRAD
(8-6-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UIC UIC 1 1 2
Bradley BRAD 0 1 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Flames Defeat Bradley, 2-1

UIC Takes 9-8-1 Lead in All-Time Series

A first half goal by Abel Guzman was buttressed by Jacob Graiber's second half tally, and the UIC Flames (6-5-3) defeated their in-state rival Bradley (8-6-1), 2-1 Tuesday evening in Peoria.

Head coach Sean Phillips was pleased with not only the result, but the effort his team showed for 90 minutes.  "It was a great team effort tonight.  Getting a result at Bradley historically is a very difficult thing.  They've been a very solid team this year, so our getting a result to finish the non-conference schedule on a positive note should be commended," he said.

Game Headlines
  • Braves Hold Possession First: Bradley earned the first couple of chances through a slow paced opening 20 minutes.  Vasilas was challenged only once and he made a routine save on a rolling ball sent toward the net from deep.
  • Cervantes and Guzman Try…: The Flames executed beautifully in transition to create their first quality shot of the match.  Abel Guzman and Alex Cervantes played give-and-go with Guzman taking the return pass and shooting at the right post, but his shot whistled just wide.
  • …And Succeed With a Goal: Abel Guzman logged the game's first goal.  Again it was Cervantes initiating as he took the ball down the right sideline and sent a beautiful cross Guzman's way.  He needed only to make a quick redirection to flick it past the keeper from six yards.
  • "Abel led us as a captain and got the first goal," Phillips said.  "He was one of a number of players who stepped up tonight, many playing different positions, which was very pleasing."
  • Bradley Breaks Through: Bradley tied the score in the 57th minute.  Off a corner kick, Frank Bak dribbled outside the box and fired a shot that kept rising past the reach of a leaping Vasilas in the upper right corner of the goal.
  • Graiber Responds With Game-Winner: Within three minutes, the Flames recaptured the lead.  Jesus Perez sent a corner kick in low, and Jacob Graiber was properly positioned to send it into the mesh.  Additional Flames including Markell Saddler were in the box to help screen the keeper.
  • Phillips noted, "Bradley is always a great challenge for us.  They are disciplined defensively and on the attack, especially on set pieces.  We will take the positives from tonight and as always work on things we can improve as we hit the final stride of conference play these next three weeks."
Facts and Figures26850
  • The non-conference contest afforded Phillips a chance to experiment with his lineup.  Albert Arabik made his first start of the season, and Max Todd and Abel Guzman each started for the first time since the beginning of September.  Sokratis Vasilas got his third start in goal.
  • Guzman's goal was his second of the season.  That matched his career high, set previously in his sophomore season in 2015.
  • Cervantes registered his second assist of his sophomore campaign.  He has eclipsed his 2016 total of one helper.
  • Graiber scored his second goal of the season to make him the sixth Flame with multiple goals.
  • Perez added to his team lead by tallying his eighth assist.
  • Vasilas made two saves, registering the first win of his UIC career.
  • "It was great for Sokratis to get his first college win," Phillips said.  "We're fortunate that we have two very good goalkeepers here at UIC as he showed tonight with a very solid game."
Up Next
  • UIC returns home to face Horizon League opponent Cleveland State on Saturday.
  • Kickoff will be at 1:00 pm in the team's lone home day game this season.
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