Jesus Perez scored back-to-back goals within the first six minutes, and the Flames held Milwaukee without a goal from the run of play, as UIC (2-5-1, 1-2 HL) posted a 2-1 victory Saturday night for their first Horizon League win of the season.

Sawyer Jackman allowed a goal on a penalty kick but made saves on both shots he faced otherwise.  The win snaps a four game losing streak for the Flames.  Milwaukee falls to 3-4-2 and 0-3 in the conference.

"It's never easy to get a result against Milwaukee, having been seven years since the last time we won here," head coach Sean Phillips said.  "I'm very proud of the team tonight.  It's been a long stretch of difficult results, but this group - all 28 guys - never lost faith, they kept fighting and fighting, and tonight they earned a reward against a very talented and difficult Milwaukee side."

Game Headlines

• Great Openers for UIC: The Flames started very fast, controlling possession from the outset.  A second-minute free kick by Jesus Perez from 28 yards hit the crossbar.  At 3:23, Oscar Gonzalez scooted the ball ahead to Perez who took it on the run behind the Panthers' defense and beat keeper Freddy Lorenzen to the far post.
• When it Rains, it Pours: The Flames doubled up on another goal from Perez at 5:02.  Gonzalez assisted again, finding Perez in space just outside the 18 yard box.  Perez cut loose a laser beam with his left foot, again going to the far post with a shot that gave Lorenzen no chance.
• Tide Shifts Toward Panthers: The Flames continued to hold possession through the middle stages of the first half.  Milwaukee began to mount some attacks of their own, forcing a clear by Jacob Graiber on a dangerous loose ball, and later a stop by Sawyer Jackman on a deep advance.
• Milwaukee Capitalizes on a Penalty: The Panthers' aggression paid off in the final minute of the half.  They drew a penalty inside the box, and Vuk Latinovich converted the penalty kick to cut the Flames' lead in half.
• Phillips said of the momentum swings in the first half, "We had a very bright start, and I thought we had a handle on the game for most of the first of the half. But against a team the caliber of Milwaukee, they will get some run of play and create chances.  We had a breakdown, took a penalty, and allowed a goal, but in credit to our team, they found resiliency to get a result."
• Panthers Get Physical: UIC was able to execute several set pieces in the early portions of the second half.  Milwaukee was booked for two yellow cards and seven fouls before the 60^th minute, but none of the Flames' action generated quality chances.
• Defense Closes Out the Match: As befitted a team trailing in the match, Milwaukee made concerted efforts to hold possession as the second half progressed.  The Flames' defense was up to the challenge, blocking the Panthers' shots when unable to clear.  Milwaukee had just one shot on goal in the second half, not coming until the 82^nd minute, and UIC was credited with four blocks.  Many of those came from Joel Leon, who also was in position several times to disrupt Panther advances.
• "Later in the game, Milwaukee applied pressure, and we bent but never broke.  It's good to get our feet under us and get a win in Horizon League play," Phillips concluded.

Facts and Figures

• It was the eighth different starting lineup for the Flames.  Jacob Graiber made his first start with UIC.  Jose Fuentes returned to the First XI after sitting out against Northwestern.
• Jesus Perez had his first career multi-goal game.  He jumped into the team lead for the season, becoming the only Flame to date to score multiple goals.
• It was the first time a Flame tallied multiple goals in a game since Jorge Alvarez scored twice in a Halloween, 2015 match against Belmont.
• Only 1:39 elapsed between Perez' goals.  It's the fastest the Flames have gotten two goals since last November 4 against Oakland.  Max Todd and Mike Jimenez scored in a 2:04 span.  No individual had scored back-to-back goals faster since November 7, 2014, when Nathan Laude netted two goals in 3:09.
• Oscar Gonzalez recorded multiple assists in a contest for the first time in his career.
• Milwaukee's penalty kick was the first conceded by the Flames this season.
• Perez' first goal ended a 440:13 drought since the Flames last scored, spanning six matches.
• The Flames were held without a corner kick for the first time all season.
• UIC took a season-low 10 shots for the second straight game.  The three shots the Flames put on goal tied for a season low.
• Abel Guzman and Jacob Graiber were shown yellow cards in the physical second half.  Milwaukee took three cautions.
• The Flames have won three straight over Milwaukee.

Up Next

• The Flames will have another midweek non-conference match on Tuesday at Flames Field.
• Northern Illinois will visit Flames Field for a 7:00 pm kickoff.