UIC and Wright State met for the first time since last season's Horizon League championship match, and like in that title tilt, the game was scoreless beyond the 80^th minute.  On Saturday night, Wright State (4-2-1, 2-0 HL) scored two goals less than a minute apart to take a 2-0 win from the Flames (1-4-1, 0-2 HL) at Flames Field.

Both of Wright State's goals were scored from close range.  Austin Kinley drew first blood on a low shot from a severe angle to Sawyer Jackman's left, and Stefan Rokvic was on the spot when the Raiders had the personnel advantage inside the 8-yard box 57 seconds later.

Game Headlines

• UIC Has Chance in Seventh Minute: The Flames had an early chance to dent the scoreboard when Jose Fuentes lined up a shot on an empty right half of the goal, but it went just past the post.
• Defenses Show Strength Early: Neither side allowed many clean looks during the first half.  Both back lines proved to be stout when challenged and only nine combined shots were attempted.
• Guzman Barely Misses: In the 43^rd minute, UIC had their best opportunity of the first half.  A ball was centered to Abel Guzman, whose first touch bounced it just higher than he wanted, and his timing was sufficiently disrupted that his shot from the eight yard mark went over the crossbar.
• Flames Get Consistent Attack: For a 20-minute span beginning in the 61^st minute, UIC dominated possession and opportunities.  The momentum began when Markell Saddler made a beautiful steal in Wright State's end, and two touches later Jesus Perez headed a ball on net only for Joel Sundell to make the save.
• Todd Returns; Jump Starts Offense: Max Todd came on in the 67^th minute.  He led a fast break shortly after entering and put a shot on net, but Sundell stood tall from point blank range to keep the match scoreless.
• Flames Pepper Shots, but Can't Score: The Flames got two chances in rapid succession around the 76^th minute, and again in the 81^st minute.  On the latter occasion, Todd sent in a corner kick and Jaime Alonso had two heavy boots that Raider players sacrificed their bodies to prevent from reaching the keeper.
• Raiders Strike Late: Wright State scored in transition after UIC had held possession and was caught with too many men upfield.  In the Flames' haste to equalize, the Raiders scored again off precision touches from close range.

 Facts and Figures

• It was the sixth different starting lineup in as many games for the Flames.  Jordan Moore got his first start as a Flame.  He played all 90 minutes after seeing 29 minutes of action against Detroit Mercy as a sub.
• Todd saw 24 minutes in his first game since the DePaul match August 27.  He tied for the team high with three shots.
• Perez also had three shots, two of which were on goal.
• Each team took 11 shots.  Seven of the Raiders' were on net, while the Flames placed four on goal.
• Jose Fuentes and Nestor Garcia were shown yellow cards.  Wright State also earned two cautions.
• Wright State held the Flames to just four corner kicks, six below their NCAA-leading average.  The Raiders took six corners, becoming just the second team all season to take more opportunities from the corner than the Flames.
• Sawyer Jackman made five saves.
• The Flames were shut out for the third straight game, matching their longest streak since 2010 when they did not score in the first three games of the season.

Up Next

• The Flames will face another city rival on Wednesday.
• UIC will travel a short distance north to take on Northwestern in Evanston.
• Kickoff from Martin Stadium will be at 7:00 pm.

Postgame Reaction

• Sean Phillips