UIC (10-4-1, 4-2-1 HL) fell victim to Green Bay by a 2-0 score Saturday night in frigid Wisconsin.  A goal in each half gave the Phoenix (7-4-2, 3-2-1 HL) a measure of revenge in the teams' first meeting since last year's Horizon League Championship.  Though the Flames carried possession for most of the second half, they were unable to connect on a final touch through Green Bay's back line.

"Compliments to Green Bay," head coach Sean Phillips said.  "They made the key plays tonight, and dealt with the adverse weather conditions better than we did.  I thought that we were dealing with the weather and the wind pretty well when they made a play late in the first half.  We had a bright start to the second half but as we were pushing numbers forward they caught us in transition, which is something they're very good at.  Once they made it 2-0, they took away space for us to play through.  Their final third defense was very good tonight."

How it Happened

• After the teams took the first several minutes to gauge the effect the wind would have on passes and goal kicks, Green Bay had the first good look by either side when they hit the post.  The subsequent corner kick was poked over the frame by Sawyer Jackman, and the resulting corner was headed high by the Phoenix.
• The Flames' moments in the early stages did not lead to quality touches in the box; alternately Max Todd and Markell Saddler had opportunities, if not control.  UIC earned a free kick when Jesus Perez was fouled in the 24^th minute.  The opportunity from 30 yards rattled around in front of the goal but was cleared.
• UIC's defense showed its merit on a number of occasions.  Jackman made his best save of the first half on a leaping deflection of a high quality shot taken on a rebound of a blocked attempt.  Later, Cristian Sanchez made a very nice play to cleanly slide tackle and take possession from a Phoenix who was closing in on the goal, resulting in a UIC goal kick.  Then in the 38^th minute, Pau Mateo made a sliding disruption of a dangerous cross and Jackman cleaned up.
• Peter Becht took a crossing shot in the 34^th minute, forcing Phoenix keeper Nikola Kahvedzic to dive forward; and in doing so he bobbled the attempt.  Josiah Ash was on the run and had a poacher's chance but the prone keeper lunged forward and secured the ball.
• Green Bay scored in the 40^th minute.  A shot went in from the right flank, which Jacob Graiber went low to block away.  The rebound trickled in front of Tomer Zloczower who took one touch to shoot low and bounce the ball just past Jackman.
• Josiah Ash took a very good shot in the first minute after the interval but his placement was right into Kahvedzic' breadbasket.
• As UIC held possession for most of the second half, chances materialized but the final touch was too often lacking.  In the 53^rd minute, the ball was loose in Green Bay's box after a nice sequence of passing but nobody was in position to capitalize.  Later, Peter Becht curled a terrific shot on goal resulting in an even better backward-diving save.  Though the ball stayed in play, the Phoenix won the race to the rebound.
• Green Bay doubled their lead on a transition piece when the onrushing Phoenix took a shot that Jackman got a piece of before it clanged off the post, and right to the middle of the field.  Jackman's lunge toward the post took him out of the frame and the second wave was in the right spot to arc a header into the net.
• Jackman came off his line twice to prevent any further scoring.  He challenged a Phoenix advance and forced a shot to go off angle and wide of the net, and when Zloczower led a fast break, he won the challenge, taking the ball off his adversary's foot.
• Becht had one of UIC's best chances when he sent one just high in the 76^th minute; a hard low shot followed and stayed outside the near post.

Facts and Figures

• Sean Phillips reverted to the same First XI he deployed against Milwaukee, with Jacob Graiber returning to the starting lineup.
• At first kick, the 16 mile per hour wind – gusting to 28 – gave the temperature a wind chill factor of 24 degrees.
• The Flames were shut out for only the second time all year.
• Green Bay snapped a seven game winning streak by UIC in the series.
• UIC had a 12-9 edge in shots, but Green Bay put five on goal to the Flames' four.
• Corner kicks favored the Flames, 8-2.
• Becht had game highs with four shots and two on goal.
• Max Todd had three shots but none went on frame.
• Green Bay was shown both of the match's yellow cards.
• Alwin Seitz played 12 minutes at the end of the match, making his first appearance since Oct. 6.
• UIC finishes with a 1-2-1 record on the road in conference play.

Up Next

• The Flames will have one final non-conference match next Saturday.
• A road test at nationally-ranked Charlotte will kick at 6:00 pm Central.