UIC shut out Northern Kentucky, 3-0, to conclude the regular season at Flames Field Friday afternoon.  Timely saves by Sawyer Jackman kept the Norse off the board, and goals right before and after halftime propelled the Flames (11-5-1, 5-2-1 HL) to the win.  UIC became the only Horizon League team to shut out NKU (10-7, 3-5 HL), who needed a win to have any hope of qualifying for the Horizon League tournament.

The win, combined with Green Bay's loss to Oakland, cemented the Flames in second place in the final conference standings after Wright State won its match later Friday night.  It is the program's fourth straight top-two finish, and the fifth in the last six years.

How it Happened

• Northern Kentucky applied pressure from the opening kick, but was unable to take an early lead thanks to Sawyer Jackman.  Calvin Murphy took a shot from the doorstep in the fifth minute, which Jackman turned away.
• Max Todd created three quality chances as the Flames held possession in the middle stages of the half.  He had one shot saved by NKU keeper Jim Barkei, and another just a minute later saved by the team after getting past Barkei.  Todd tried again to score the match's first goal, pushing his next attempt wide.
• Mike Jimenez blocked a very good shot by NKU's most dangerous player.  Alex Willis, a 16-goal scorer on the season, juked Jackman inside the 6-yard box in minute 41 and seemed set to draw first blood when Jimenez gave it his all to slide in front of Willis' foot and prevent any damage.
• UIC struck first very late in the first half.  Jacob Graiber tried to get a head on a corner kick, but instead the ball went to ground where an NKU player tried to clear.  That effort landed at the feet of Graiber for a quick shot to the upper right quadrant.
• Jackman was tested on NKU's first advance of the second half.  He made himself large in the frame and stoned Willis.  The ball stayed in play and UIC moved quickly upfield in transition.  It ended up on the foot of Oscar Gonzalez, who juked a defender in the box, moved to his right, and buried a shot to the right post.
• The Flames had another transition opportunity in the 55^th minute.  Markell Saddler was running free toward the goal when he was taken down from behind, resulting in a red card to the Norse offender.  That set up a free kick from 25 yards away, which Max Todd lethally scorched to the back of the net.
• With the man advantage, UIC held possession efficiently and took timely, measured chances in the final third.  Jesus Perez was the beneficiary a couple of times, getting off shots that had potential until Barkei made admirable saves.

Postgame Reaction

• Sawyer Jackman
  
• Sean Phillips
  

Facts and Figures

• Another unique First XI was deployed.  Todd, Saddler, and Josiah Ash started together for the second time.  Mike Jimenez also returned to the starting lineup.
• The Flames ended up with a perfect 7-0-0 home record, their first such season since 1999.
• It was Jackman's, and the team's, sixth shutout of the campaign.
• UIC's 10 shots on goal tied their Horizon League high.
• The Flames set a season high by far with two-thirds of their shots going on goal.
• Todd had a goal and an assist for the first time this season.  He finished the season with a team high 12 goals and 26 points.
• Perez notched his NCAA-leading 12^th assist of the campaign.
• Tomasz Kania and Nkusuwila Zulu made their Flames debuts.
• The Flames scored at least three goals for the seventh time this year.
• Northern Kentucky has not scored a goal against UIC in four all-time meetings.

Up Next

• The Flames will compete in the Horizon League tournament next week.
• With their second place finish, the team will get a bye to the semifinals on Thursday hosted by Wright State.
• UIC will play the highest remaining seed after #4 Green Bay plays #5 IUPUI, and #3 Oakland plays #6 Milwaukee, on Monday.