UIC claimed its third straight Horizon League championship with a 3-1 win over Wright State Saturday night.  Josiah Ash put the Flames up 1-0 with a fifth-minute goal, and Pau Mateo scored his first goal later in the half.  After Wright State halved the margin late in the match, Ash struck again to remove all doubt from the outcome.

UIC moved to 12-5-2 on the season, eclipsing last season's win total and notching the most victories since 2013.  After a regular season draw at Wright State (13-3-3), the Flames used a complete team effort on both ends of the field to defeat the #1 seed on their home pitch.

Jacob Graiber, who was on the defending end of countless through balls and attempted advances throughout UIC's two tournament games, was named tournament MVP.  He was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Ash, Nestor Garcia, and Oscar Gonzalez.


The Flames achieved the first back-to-back-to-back championships in school history.  They moved into sole possession of most Horizon League tournament titles, with their sixth (1999, 2000, 2007, 2016, 2017, 2018).  Combined with the regular season title in 2015, the senior class will leave having won four trophies, which is also a UIC first.  The team will make its eighth NCAA tournament appearance.

How it Happened

• UIC struck first in the fifth minute.  After bringing the ball out of their own end, the Flames worked the ball to Markell Saddler in the middle of the field.  He timed a pass perfectly to Josiah Ash, who stayed onside before the serve and got behind the defense, chipping the ball over the oncoming keeper.
• UIC continued to hold possession as the first half progressed.  They earned free kicks from favorable spots twice before the 20^th minute.  From the corner of the 18 yard box, Oscar Gonzalez sent it toward the frame but Raider keeper Joel Sundell made a strong play to catch it before anyone could connect.  Gonzalez took the next one too and put it on Max Todd's head; the attempt was straight on target but high.
• At the half's midway point, Wright State had their best chances of the first 45.  Sawyer Jackman punched a try out of harm's way temporarily, but the Raiders kept it in the final third and scooted another attempt right of the target and across the end line.  Soon after, they took a free kick, crisscrossed it from side to side and ended up with a header that Jackman saved.
• Team defense was the Flames' strength as the sequence wore on.  The back four collapsed well around efforts to pass the ball inside the 18, denying Wright State a shot attempt.  Later, Pau Mateo came down the box to knock a shot over the end line after Alec Phillippe got behind the defense.  A tense moment ensued on the subsequent corner kick, when a shot rolled just outside the left post.
• UIC's offense earned a corner kick in the 36^th minute.  Gonzalez sent a low, swift drive into the six yard box where Markell Saddler was first to get his head on it.  After the ball bounced off the ground, Pau Mateo tapped it into the net.
• Max Todd, who was marked well all night long, managed to unleash a laser from long distance late in the first half.  Sundell was in position but it bounced off his chest for a moment of uncertainty.  The Flames used precise passing to hold the ball in the attacking zone for an extended period, affording Todd another chance.
• Wright State came out with intensity at the outset of the second half.  As a Raider striker pushed forward, Jacob Graiber screened him off as Sawyer Jackman ran forward to dive on the ball.  WSU's next rush was a less intense effort that still made it to Jackman who smothered it with another forward fall.
• The Raiders had another moment at the match's hour mark when they earned a corner kick.  Jackman punched the initial effort out, but a Raider player shot it and had it deflected.  Wright State shot again but Jackman was back in place by the post to prevent a goal.
• Ten minutes later, Jesus Perez served a cross in to Todd, who was just not quite situated right for a header.  The Flames kept the ball in the zone until Todd's cross was grabbed by Sundell.  UIC's next trip down saw Saddler afforded a shot that was saved; and Perez take a good chance that he sent well wide.
• Wright State made things tighter in the 82^nd minute.  Dominik Tajak made a move down the left of the box, shot from a wide angle and tucked it inside the far post.  Jackman prevented further damage with an aggressive pluck of a Raider attempt, and Mateo helped by clearing a ball off the line.
• Ash, streaking ahead as the Flames countered another late WSU charge, received a lead pass that he headed down while keeping his run strong.  After a couple of strides, he shot off the far post and it bounded in.

Postgame Reaction

• Jacob Graiber
  
• Josiah Ash
  
• Sean Phillips
  

Facts and Figures

• It was yet another unique First XI, with Cristian Sanchez returning to the lineup.
• Each starter played the full 90 minutes.
• UIC scored the most goals against a Wright State squad that had not given up more than two in a game all year.
• With Graiber's selection as MVP, it marked the second straight year that a Flames defender earned the award.
• Ash moved into second place on the team as his two goals brought his season total to six.  It was his second brace of the campaign, and UIC's first ever in a championship match.
• Saddler likewise made a jump on the Flames' assist table.  With credit for the helper on all three goals, he is second on the squad with 10 on the season.  It was his second multi-assist game of the year.
• Mateo's goal was the first of his career.
• The Flames had the edge in shots, 12-7, and in shots on goal, 6-2.  Todd led all players with five attempts.
• UIC allowed a mere two shots on goal in both of its tournament games.
• Wright State's efficient defense limited the Flames to a season low two corner kicks.
• The Raiders took both of the match's yellow cards, both in the first 20 minutes.

Up Next

• The Flames have earned an automatic qualification to the NCAA tournament.
• The full selection show will be Monday.
• First round games will be played Thursday.