Peter Becht scored two goals as the Flames (5-5-2, 3-2 HL) led from the 15th minute in a 3-1 win over Green Bay (5-3-2, 4-1 HL) Saturday night at Flames Field.  It was the first Horizon League loss for the Phoenix after a 4-0 start.  Only a 90th minute goal off a penalty kick rebound spoiled Sawyer Jackman's clean sheet.  The Flames remained unbeaten (4-0-1) in their last five matches.
 
Game Headlines

• Flames Strike Early: Jacob Graiber got the scoring started in the 15^th minute when he established position near the post and headed a corner kick, served by Oscar Gonzalez, into the net. 
• Phoenix' Response Neutralized: Green Bay held possession following Graiber's goal and applied some pressure in the final third.  Sawyer Jackman was called on to make an important save on a dangerous touch inside eight yards.  He made an easier save a few minutes later to keep Green Bay off the scoreboard.
• Flames Double Up in 26th Minute: Peter Becht was in the right place to make the score 2-0.  Green Bay couldn't contain the ball deep in their territory, and Becht took possession of the loose ball and fired a heavy shot to the lower left corner.
• Todd Barely Misses: The Flames nearly made it 3-0 in the 39^th minute.  Max Todd, a substitute late in the half, stole the ball and nicely evaded two Phoenix defenders as he wound his way down the chute.  He took a magical shot that only just went high.
• Flames Defend at End of Half: Green Bay had a couple of chances to get on the board late in the first half.  Their best chance came following a yellow card as they initiated a set piece with the free kick going toward the net.  Joel Leon was able to head the ball away and preserve the 2-0 lead at halftime.
• Both Teams Miss Opportunities: The Phoenix had a 2-on-1 break that they converted with a header but the goal was wiped out as they were flagged for offside.  Shortly after, the Flames took two shots that looked like they had potential, but both were blocked.
• Becht Scores Again: In the 82^nd minute, Alex Cervantes played the ball from the right corner into the box where Becht was waiting to put a low header on net.  Green Bay's Nikola Kahvedzic couldn't get there in time and the Flames led 3-0.
• Green Bay Avoids the Shutout: For the second straight game, Sawyer Jackman made a save on a penalty kick.  The Phoenix were awarded the kick in the 90^th minute, and Marcos Bautista played his rebound over a prone Jackman for Green Bay's lone tally.

Facts and Figures

• For the first time this season, the Flames sent out a First XI that they had used before.  The starters were the same 11 that began the game against IUPUI.
• Becht doubled his goal output on the season.  All four of his goals this year have come in the last four games.  He moved into second place on the team.
• Graiber netted his first goal as a Flame.
• Jackman made four saves and was just 40 seconds away from his first shutout.  He saved a penalty kick for the second game in a row.
• Gonzalez' assist was his fifth on the season, pulling him to within one of the team lead.  Cervantes posted his first point of the campaign on Becht's second goal.
• Ten of the game's 14 corner kicks went to Green Bay.  The Flames outshot their rivals, 15-9.
• UIC's three goals tied the most Green Bay has given up all year.

Up Next

• The Flames will have a week off before returning to action.
• Horizon League play continues on Saturday, when the team travels to Northern Kentucky for a 3:00 pm start.

Postgame Reaction

• Peter Becht
  
• Sean Phillips