Playing their third straight overtime game against their third straight opponent from the Big East, the UIC Flames earned a draw against Marquette in Milwaukee.

Marquette scored first in the ninth minute, but UIC controlled possession for the middle portion of the game and scored consecutive goals to take a 2-1 lead.  They conceded the equalizer in the 80^th minute, and neither team was able to muster much of an attack through the two overtimes.

The Flames' record is now level at 1-1-1.

Game Headlines

• Marquette Scores, but Flames Respond: After Marquette struck first, heading a corner kick into the net from close range, the Flames regrouped to get off a volley of shots.  On a corner of their own, the ball was nudged just wide of the net.  Shortly thereafter, Oscar Gonzalez had a clear look from the top of the box but couldn't get a clean strike on the ball.  And as the action continued, Ricardo Vega found Alex Cervantes for a header that hit the crossbar and deflected straight down to the turf, but not completely across the goal line.
• OG Nets the Equalizer: In the 20^th minute, Jesus Perez sent a ball in from midfield.  Oscar Gonzalez took it on the run from the 8 yard mark and flipped it past the keeper to equalize the match.
• Fuentes Puts UIC Out Front: As the first half wore on, the Flames continued to hold possession.  In the 34^th minute, Marquette tried to send a pass backward from their defensive third, but Albert Arabik intercepted it.  He quickly sent a cross to Perez, whose first touch was a fed to Jose Fuentes.  Fuentes poked the ball into the goal and the Flames led for the first time.
• Eagles' Keeper Keeps it Close: UIC held possession for the first stages of the second half.  Gonzalez and Ghezali each put quality shots on goal, but Luis Barraza made impressive saves to keep Marquette within one.
• Flames' Defense Stands Tall as Marquette Attacks: Sawyer Jackman made a highlight reel save in the 82^nd minute, leaving his feet and elevating to his right to get his hands on a Marquette shot.  He was also tested when a cross went into the 8-yard box, and was equal to the task.
• Marquette Finally Breaks Through: The Golden Eagles scored the equalizer after carrying possession for a large portion of the late second half.  They took five straight shots, each defended, without ceding opportunity to the Flames, until finally breaking through on Luka Prpa's try from the left side of the box.
• Worn Down Players Settle For Draw: In the overtime sessions, each team had opportunities but neither side dominated possession, and their respective keepers had clean looks at any shots that got through.

 
Facts and Figures

• Abel Guzman and Lyes Ghezali each made their first start of the season.  For Ghezali, it was the first start of his career.
• Gonzalez and Fuentes each scored their first goal of the season.  Each of the Flames' four goals of the young season has been scored by a different player.
• Jesus Perez assisted on both of the Flames' goals, giving him a team-high three assists on the season.
• Marquette outshot the Flames, 23-15, including a 10-6 edge in shots on goal.
• Oscar Gonzalez took six of UIC's shots, matching his output from the first two games.  He placed three on goal.
• Joel Leon was shown a yellow card for UIC.  Marquette drew yellow on four occasions, two by Martin Alba.  He was sent off in the 110^th minute, leaving UIC too little time to fully exploit the man advantage.
• The Flames played their third straight overtime match for the first time since 2012, when they went 0-2-1 against Georgetown, Florida International, and IUPUI in succession.

Up Next

• The Flames will conclude their second straight two-game weekend on Sunday night when Eastern Illinois comes to Flames Field.
• The intrastate rivalry will kick off at 7:00.

Postgame Reaction

• Sean Phillips