For the second straight game, UIC battled in a scoreless match for over 80 minutes.  Unfortunately, for the second straight game, they conceded a late goal and went down to defeat, 1-0, to Northwestern Wednesday night.

"It was a very disappointing, frustrating result tonight," head coach Sean Phillips said.  "I thought we had the fight, especially defensively, and with 10 shots, you carry enough of the possession to get if not a win, at least a tie."

Sean Lynch headed a loose ball past Sokratis Vasilas in the 87^th minute after a free kick started the action.  Vasilas came off his line to make a play on the ball, but Lynch beat him to the spot.

"Unfortunately, we suffered another breakdown defensively and allowed a late goal, but I feel the game should never have gotten to that point," Phillips continued.  "Our challenge now is to take this game, learn from it, and take those lessons with us on Saturday when we play a long standing Horizon League rival in Milwaukee, and try to get a result there."

Game Headlines

• Wildcats Set Early Pace: Northwestern held possession for much of the first half.  Their aggression resulted in four corner kicks in the first 45 minutes to the Flames' one.
• Vasilas Stands Tall: Sokratis Vasilas, making his second start of the season, was tested in the first minute when Northwestern had a breakaway.  He made the save and was aggressive the rest of the half in punching away crosses and directing the defense.
• Flames Preserve Shutout as First Half Ends: The Wildcats had another quality chance in the final minute of the first half.  A pass entered the 8-yard box where a Northwestern player readied himself to send it toward the net with one touch, but Lyes Ghezali was well positioned and kicked the ball clear of the goal.
• UIC Misses the Mark: The Flames had possession for a couple stretches midway through the first half.  Their best set piece of the half resulted in an entry for Markell Saddler, but he was flagged for offside.  Later, they entered the ball into the penalty box with some nice passing and Oscar Gonzalez took a shot from close range, but it went wide.
• Flames Dominate Second Half Action: As much as Northwestern possessed the ball in the first half, the Flames controlled the action for most of the second half.  Oscar Gonzalez and Jesus Perez had opportunities on several occasions but couldn't find the back of the net.  On one of Northwestern's rare advances, Joel Leon headed the ball away from Vasilas on the doorstep.
• Northwestern Turns the Tide, Dents Scoreboard: The Wildcats manufactured some opportunities as regulation time ticked away.  Vasilas made two saves in the 81^st and 83^rd minutes before the lone goal was scored.

Facts and Figures

• Jose Fuentes did not appear in the starting lineup for the first time this season.  Overall, it was the seventh different First XI in as many games to begin the campaign.
• Sokratis Vasilas made his second start of the season.  He made four saves, one off of his career high.
• The physical contest saw 33 fouls called; 21 on the Flames and 12 on Northwestern.
• UIC found themselves on the short end of the corner kick count, 9-3.  It was the second straight game that happened.
• The Flames outshot the Wildcats, 10-8.  Each team put five shots on goal.
• Oscar Gonzalez took a game-high five shots.  Jesus Perez had three.  Jaime Alonso accounted for the remaining two UIC attempts.
• UIC was shut out for the fourth straight game.  It matches their longest such streak since 1996.

Up Next

• The Flames will continue their road trip as they return to Horizon League play at Milwaukee.
• The contest against the Panthers will start at 7:00 Saturday evening.