Max Todd scored the game's only goal in the 19^th minute, and Sawyer Jackman and Sokratis Vasilas combined to make it stand up as the Flames downed Wisconsin, 1-0, at Flames Field Saturday night.  The Flames finished the exhibition portion of the schedule 2-0.

Game Headlines

• Flames Start Fast: UIC kept possession from the outset, earning a corner kick in the first minute.  They fired off two shots in quick succession, and a little later earned another corner kick which Max Todd converted into a shot.
• Todd Strikes From Close Range: In the 19^th minute, Oscar Gonzalez sent a ball ahead and across to a streaking Max Todd.  Todd fired a shot past the keeper, just inside the left post, to give the Flames a 1-0 lead.
• Wisconsin Battles Back: The Badgers controlled possession for an extended portion of the latter stages of the first half.  The Flames' back line, however, prevented any quality scoring chances.
• Goalkeepers Split Time Again: As in the first exhibition game against Western Illinois, Sawyer Jackman started the game and played the first half in goal.  Sokratis Vasilas took over for the second half.  Jackman did not face any shots on goal, but Vasilas was called on to make some important saves late in the game.

  

• Badgers Increase Intensity: Wisconsin got more chances in the second half, when they played in UIC's end for most of the period.  Twice, the Flames headed the ball away from the goal.  Then in the 77^th and 88^th minutes, Vasilas faced shots that he turned away to preserve the clean sheet.
• Play Gets Physical: On one of UIC's few clean looks at the Badger goal late in the game, Alex Cervantes was hindered in a one-on-one situation.  No foul was called on Wisconsin.  Within a minute, UIC in turn went for a takeaway near midfield, and the Flames were whistled.
• Leon Looms Large: As Wisconsin desperately tried to get shots away in the final seconds, the ball popped free in front of the Flames' goal.  Joel Leon made a sliding kick to knock the ball away from several nearby Badgers with their eyes on a game-tying goal.

Facts and Figures

• For the second straight game, Max Todd was the game's leading shot taker.  He had five attempts, while Wisconsin's Brayden Callipari (2) was the only other player to take more than one.
• Todd registered a shot on goal before he scored, and sent another shot just wide late in the first half.
• Sawyer Jackman finishes the exhibition slate with 90 minutes of shutout defense in goal.  Sokratis Vasilas allowed just one goal in 90 minutes.
• Two yellow cards were issued, both to Wisconsin.
• Oscar Gonzalez assisted on Todd's goal; his first assist of the preseason.  Gonzalez also took a shot on goal.
• A standing room only crowd of 448 witnessed the Flames' first exhibition shutout win of the Sean Phillips era.

Up Next

• The Flames begin the regular season on Friday at Butler.
• Kickoff from Indianapolis will be at 6:00 central time.

Postgame Reaction

• Sean Phillips
  
• Max Todd