UIC will wrap the road and non-conference portions of its 2018 schedule with a match at #26 Charlotte.  The first-ever meeting between the programs will pit a Flames squad (10-4-1) seeking to avoid its first two-game losing streak of the season and a 49ers side (9-3-1) putting its undefeated, unscored upon home slate on the line.

"Charlotte is an NCAA tournament caliber team this year without question, as they are year in and year out," head coach Sean Phillips said.  "We are fortunate to have a team of their caliber on our schedule during our Horizon League bye, and we're looking forward to measuring ourselves against one of the best teams in their region."

UIC has scored over two goals per game on the season, while Charlotte has surrendered a mere 0.54 goals per game.  "We've got the talent and capabilities to score goals, while Charlotte has only given up seven goals, and they have not lost at home yet.  Our team has gone through this experience before" in the beginning of the season when they traveled to Dallas for two matches against unfamiliar non-conference opponents.  "Hopefully those experiences will prepare us to get the result on Saturday.  It's going to be a test of wills.  We have a great opportunity to put in a good performance and get on a good trajectory before closing out our Horizon League schedule."

Preview With Jaime Alonso

 
Last Time Out

• The Flames dropped a 2-0 decision at Green Bay last Saturday.
• It was the first time UIC has been shut out in conference play.
• Peter Becht had the best chances of any Flame, as he put two shots on goal that required high-level saves.
• The Flames lost for only the second time when outshooting the opposition.
• UIC has not lost consecutive games all season.

Flames to Watch

• Max Todd leads the Horizon League in total goals in conference play.
• Todd, Markell Saddler, Jesus Perez, and Oscar Gonzalez all rank within the league's top 10 in points.
• Saddler, Gonzalez, Perez, and Cristian Sanchez are all in the Horizon League's top five in assists.
• Perez has an assist in four of the last six games.

Scouting Charlotte

• Charlotte won their sixth straight home game, 3-0 over USC Upstate, on Tuesday night. They have outscored their opposition 12-0 at home this year.
• Teddy Chaouche has a team high 9 points on the strength of 7 assists.
• Three 49ers share the team lead with three goals apiece.
• Elliot Panicco has eight shutouts (and played 85:33 of a ninth), a 0.52 GAA, and a .865 save percentage.

49ER Foes

• Tonight's match is the first meeting between UIC and Charlotte.
• UIC is 2-0 against first-time opponents this season, with wins over Campbell and Providence.
• The Flames are 4-6-2 all-time against teams from Conference USA.
• UIC sports a 2-3 record against teams from North Carolina (1-0 vs. NC State, 0-2 vs. North Carolina, 1-1 vs. UNCW).

Statistically Speaking

• UIC is second in the country in total assists (41), and in assists per game, with 2.73. Only #1 Wake Forest is out-assisting the Flames.
• With 103 total points, the Flames rank 13th; their 6.87 points per game average is good for 8th.
• UIC has the most difficult overall schedule in the Horizon League, and the 11th-most difficult remaining schedule in the country, in the latest NCAA rankings of opponent's records.
• Jesus Perez is the NCAA leader with 11 total assists. He is also first nationally in assists per game, with 0.79.
• Max Todd ranks eighth in the nation with five game-winning goals. He is sixth in shots on goal per game (2.07), 14th in total goals (11), and 16th in goals per game (0.79).