UIC fell to #26 Charlotte, 4-0 Saturday night, in North Carolina.  The Flames (10-5-1) had great energy at the beginning of each half, but could not sustain momentum and finished with a season low four shots on goal.  The 49ers (10-3-1) scored three goals in the first half, becoming the first team to score three in a half against UIC, and remained unscored upon on their home pitch.

The 49ers' final tally of four scores marked the most the Flames have surrendered all season.

How it Happened

• The Flames wasted no time in manufacturing the first quality chance.  Just 76 seconds in, Jesus Perez chipped the ball to Max Todd in open space in the box for a well-placed shot requiring a sure save by Charlotte keeper Elliott Pannico.
• Charlotte took a free kick very near the corner, affording them a header that was bounced into the turf, leading to a Sawyer Jackman save.  Ten minutes later the 49ers tried the same play with a different result, as this time the headed cross bounced on the wet turf past Jackman.
• Jacob Graiber made a beautiful run toward the frame on a Perez free kick, putting himself in position for a header that he nudged just high.
• In the 27^th minute, Todd was open 13 yards away from the net, but the cross played in drew him to the left and his header went astray.
• Charlotte scored again in minute 29 thanks to a nice individual effort from Daniel Bruce.  He streaked down the pike, drew out Jackman, and scooted a shot inside the left post.
• Markell Saddler, a 21^st-minute sub, had his first moment in the 35^th minute.  He danced into the box making some nifty moves to get around 49er defenders, got off a shot from short range, and saw Pannico make a sure save.
• Charlotte netted their third goal on a one-timer in the 41^st minute.  With numbers ahead, they executed with precision, drawing Jackman to the right side before a pass to the left side made it easy for Daniel Bruce to tap the ball into an open net.
• The second half started much like the first for the Flames, with quality chances but no goals.  Twice in the first three minutes, they hit the crossbar.  Todd took a shot from an angle that greeted the bar, and a moment later, Jacob Graiber headed a corner kick right into the pipe.  Just a little later, Josiah Ash beat two 49er defenders downfield and unleashed a shot with lift that stayed high over the frame.
• Jackman made a nice save on a 1v1 play, looked a low, straight shot right into his arms, and leapt to punch a ball over the bar and out of harm's way in the trailing stages of the second half.
• Charlotte's final goal came on a 69^th-minute corner kick that got through the first wave of humanity and found Patrick Hogan in a spot to boot it in from 12 yards.

Facts and Figures

• Manny Cerritos returned to the First XI and made his first appearance since September 18.  Jake Nunez made his second start of the season.
• The Flames were called for seven fouls in the first 15 minutes, but eventually saw the whistles distribute evenly with 14 overall on UIC and 15 on the hosts.
• The 49ers doubled up the Flames' shot attempts, 18-9, and commanded an 11-4 shots on goal advantage.
• Todd took four shots and had three go on net.
• Jacob Graiber was the only other Flame with multiple shots, getting off two.
• Charlotte set or tied season highs among Flames opponents in goals, assists, points, shots on goal, and corner kicks.
• Meanwhile, UIC's four shots on goal matched their season low, and their nine total shots were just one more than their low-water mark.
• The Flames were blanked for the second straight game.  They had not gone two straight matches without scoring previously all season.
• Jackman finished with seven saves.
• UIC played with 10 men for the last 42 minutes after Cristian Sanchez was issued a red card.

Up Next

• The Flames will close out the regular season against Horizon League for Northern Kentucky.
• The match will start at 4:00 pm at Flames Field next Friday.
• Depending on other results in the conference, the Flames can earn a share of first place with a win.