#20 UIC (2-0) will visit Drake (1-1) Friday night, looking to continue the momentum they gained by finishing first in the SMU Tournament last weekend.

"We're looking forward to continuing our series with Drake," head coach Sean Phillips said.  "We had it going for several years until conference realignment got in the way, but we've had a good series with them.  Gareth [Smith] has done a nice job of taking the program in the right direction as evidenced by their win at Butler this week."

After the Flames won their first two games, they moved into Top Drawer Soccer's national rankings at #20.  Both UIC and Drake received votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll and bring momentum from wins over Big East programs into Friday's contest.  "As great as our results were this past weekend, if we don't strive to get better – which I think the guys have done this week in training – and if we don't go in there with a blue collar mentality and willing to fight and work, we're going to be in for a long night because of the talent Drake has and the talent they showed in their win at Butler," Phillips said.

First kick will be at 5:00 pm and the match will be televised on ESPN+.

Just before leaving for Des Moines, Max Todd and Sawyer Jackman previewed the matchup:


Last Time Out

• The Flames capped a 2-0 weekend in Dallas by defeating Providence, 3-0, in the SMU Tournament.
• Max Todd scored UIC's first goal on a free kick, and added another late in the match in transition.
• Alex Cervantes got his first goal with the Flames in the 90th minute when he scored on a rebound of Markell Saddler's shot which hit the post.
• Sawyer Jackman made three saves for the clean sheet, his sixth since the start of last season.

 
Flames to Watch

• Todd scored three goals in the first two games, including the game-winner in each match.
• Jackman allowed an early goal against Campbell, but has gone the last 173:22 without letting a goal get past him.
• Jesus Perez, Oscar Gonzalez, and Todd were the Flames' top three point scorers a year ago, and each got on the score sheet in the opener.
• Sawyer Jackman made two saves Friday.  He led the Horizon League in saves last season.
• Todd and Jackman are the reigning Horizon League Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week respectively.

 
Scouting the Bulldogs

• Drake earned a 2-1 upset win over #9 Butler on Monday night.
• Two late goals propelled Drake to the win.  Paul Ciszewski evened the match in the 80th minute, and Lucas Bartlett headed in the game winner in the 87th minute.
• Alex Peterson and Cole Poppen each had an assist.
• Jared Brown is 1-1 in goal with seven saves on the season.

Border War

• After a home-and-home series in the 90s, UIC and Drake rekindled their rivalry in the first half of this decade.
• The teams have met seven times overall, but just once in the last three years.
• UIC is on a five-match winning streak and has a 2-1 record at Cownie Soccer Complex.

For additional match notes, please see the link in the blue box above.