UIC Athletics

UIC claimed its second straight Horizon League tournament championship with a 2-0 win over Green Bay at Flames Field Saturday night.

Joel Leon was named tournament MVP.  Markell Saddler scored his second goal of the tourney at the 77th minute to give UIC a 1-0 lead.  Max Todd send a free kick into the net within the next two minutes to double the lead and send the Flames to the NCAA tournament.

The Flames move to 11-5-3 on the season, unbeaten in their last 12 games (10-0-2).  Green Bay closes its season at 9-5-3.  UIC gave the Phoenix their only two losses in Horizon League regular season and tournament play, outscoring them 5-1 on aggregate.

Game Headlines

• Flames Take First Shot: Green Bay held early possession, but the Flames countered with some advances of their own.  Max Todd had the first quality shot of the match, dancing into the box and sending a low shot toward the net forcing Nikola Kahvedzic to make a diving save.
• Jackman Keeps Phoenix Off Scoreboard: The Phoenix' best scoring opportunity of the first half came in the 25^th minute.  Brian Vang got behind the defense and sent in a solid shot, which Sawyer Jackman got in front of.  Jackman punched away a header on the ensuing corner kick and the Flames cleared.
• Flames Carry Balanced Attack: The Flames' back line got in front of a couple of Green Bay shots in the latter stages of the first half, ensuring nothing got through in the direction of Jackman.  Jesus Perez made a good run from midfield to the top of the box and put a sharp shot on net resulting in another save.
• Two Good Chances an Hour In: UIC ripped off a couple of shots that came close to putting the first goal on the board.  Jose Fuentes gained possession in Green Bay's end and passed to Oscar Gonzalez, whose quality shot went over the bar.  Three minutes later, Markell Saddler redirected a cross on net that also went just over the woodwork.
• Saddler Scores: Abel Guzman worked himself free outside the right post and sent a shot in that Kahvedzic saved but kept in play.  Saddler was in position to gather the rebound and poke it into the empty net.
• Todd Tallies: The Phoenix were shown a yellow card, giving UIC a free kick near midfield.  Immediately on the restart, a foul was called on Green Bay just outside the box.  Max Todd took the free kick from 20 yards out and beat the keeper to make it 2-0.
• Flames Close Out Match: Todd and Guzman each had another good look in the final five minutes as Green Bay intensified their attack but the Flames turned away their desperate advances.

Facts and Figures

• The Flames' First XI was the same group that started the semifinal against Cleveland State.
• Along with tournament MVP Leon, Jesus Perez, Saddler, and Todd were named to the All-Tournament team.
• Todd took a team-high five shots, three of which went on goal.  He also earned the Flames' lone yellow card in the 80^th minute.
• The Flames took 17 shots, down from the 28 they attempted in the semifinal, but eight of them went on net.  Five of Green Bay's 11 shots reached the frame, forcing four saves by Jackman and one team save on a rebound.
• Saddler scored in each tournament match after not registering a goal during the regular season.
• Jackman made 11 saves in the tournament, allowing just one goal.  He has shutouts in four of his last five matches.

Up Next

• The Flames will compete in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
• UIC will learn its first round opponent and location during the selection show Monday at noon.

Postgame Reaction

• Markell Saddler
  
• Sawyer Jackman
  
• Sean Phillips