The UIC Flames (0-1-0) will host DePaul (0-1-0) in the 2017 home opener Sunday night, in a matchup of two teams fresh off overtime losses in dramatic, exciting games. The action starts at 7:00, and all UIC students are admitted free with a valid I-card.
UIC opened their season at #25 Butler Friday evening and battled the Bulldogs for over 90 scoreless minutes. Both teams were strong defensively, as the respective offenses manufactured a number of chances but could not complete the final movement. Each team had only three shots on goal through regulation. Five minutes into the extra session, Butler set up a free kick from 20 yards, and Jared Timmer got behind the last man to head the ball into the net for the game winner.
DePaul faced Northern Illinois Friday night. Despite outshooting the Huskies 18-5, and placing seven shots on goal, DePaul trailed 2-1 in the final seconds. NIU was whistled for a hand ball, and the resulting free kick was booted into the goal to bring DePaul level with just three seconds remaining. In overtime, Northern Illinois converted a touch pass for the game winning goal.
The Flames' opener was played with pace by both sides and had remarkable flow for an early season game. By contrast, the Blue Demons' game featured 11 yellow cards, seven of which were shown to DePaul players.
Oscar Gonzalez took a team high four of the Flames' 14 shots in the first outing.
Max Todd, who had the lion's share of shots in the preseason games, was limited to two attempts by the Bulldogs. He had a large presence in the first half, but was limited by a concerted Butler defense in the second.
Jesus Perez took three shots.
Sawyer Jackman made three saves, none more important than the 89
th-minute lunge he made to his left to knock away a Butler header from close range.
Philipp Konigstein had a goal and an assist for DePaul Friday. Three of his five shots were on net. He is the Blue Demons' leading returning point scorer, with nine points in 19 games last season. Anton Sell was the other goal scorer. Eight players registered at least one shot.
The Flames hold a 14-11-3 edge in the all time series. That includes a 9-3-2 mark at home. Last season, DePaul handed UIC their worst loss of the year in a 4-0 contest in Lincoln Park. That ended a modest two game winning streak in the series by the Flames. The last matchup at Flames Field was in 2014, when UIC earned a 2-1 win in double overtime.
UIC is unbeaten in their last six home matches (5-0-1). Four of those wins were shutouts.
Live stats will be available through the link in the blue box above. Further updates will be provided on the Flames' Twitter account .
