UIC returns home for another Horizon League weekend test, this time against Detroit Mercy (1-6, 0-2 HL) at Flames Field Saturday night.  The Flames (6-2, 2-0 HL) saw their four-game winning streak get snapped Tuesday, but they remain undefeated at home and in conference play. 

"I'm looking forward to seeing the team's response after Tuesday's result," head coach Sean Phillips said.  "Detroit traditionally has been a challenge with their defensive organization and ability to get you on the counter and on set pieces.  We have to keep our balance when in possession, move the ball quickly with one- and two-touch to break them down.  We have to be disciplined in our offense and defense to get a result on Saturday."

After Friday morning's training session, UICFlames.com chatted with freshmen Pau Mateo and Alwin Seitz.  Their thoughts on several topics are presented below.

On the loss to NIU Mateo: "The game against Northern Illinois was difficult for us because they were a team that pressed up and did not let us play our game." Seitz: "They did not let us turn with the ball.  When we made one touch they were right behind us and it was difficult to dribble." On preparing for Detroit Mercy Mateo: "We know that Detroit, and all teams in our conference, know how we play and they are going to play to beat us.  They are going to try to keep the ball out, press us, and take advantage of corner kicks and free kicks." Seitz: "They want to make it difficult for us.  It is not going to be an easy game." On Horizon League versus non-conference play Mateo: "I think teams in our conference are more structured.  They are trying to win the game." Seitz: "The mentality is different between a Horizon League game and a non-conference game because everyone wants to win the Horizon League.  Teams give everything in these games." On seeing significant playing time as freshmen Mateo: "I think working hard is the key.  Try to do your best for the team." Seitz: "The team is super nice and they made it easy for us to get here and to integrate.  It's a good feeling."

 
Last Time Out

• The Flames saw their four match winning streak come to an end against Northern Illinois in a 1-0 loss Tuesday.
• Sawyer Jackman made a season high seven saves, including several highight reel-quality stops, to keep his team in the game.
• The Flames took only 10 shots and had four go on goal.  Both of those totals were season lows.
• UIC was shut out for the first time in 2018, saw their scoreless defense streak of 260:22 come to an end, and allowed the game's first goal for the first time since August 31.

Flames to Watch

• Max Todd leads the team with six goals, four of which have been game-winners.
• Jesus Perez is second in the Horizon League with seven assists.  After his brace on Saturday, he was named to College Soccer News' Team of the Week.
• Manny Cerritos is the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week, and a member of Top Drawer Soccer's Team of the Week.  He played a key role in last week's clean sheets and added an assist.
• Josiah Ash converted a penalty kick against IUPUI for his second goal of the season, becoming one of five Flames with multiple goals.

Scouting Detroit Mercy

• Detroit Mercy lost their fourth straight match, 2-0 to Pittsburgh on Tuesday, after conceding two goals in a 71-second span.
• The team has scored only two goals all season.  Daniel Iyok and Mohamad Miri each have one.
• Evan Mazurek and Devin Mendez have split time in goal.  Mazurek owns the team's lone win and has better goals-against and save percentage numbers than his teammate.

Statistically Speaking

• UIC is fifth in the nation in assists per game, with 2.88.
• The Flames are sixth in fewest fouls per game with 8.5.
• The team ranks 11th in the NCAA with 7.13 points per game.
• UIC is twelfth in shots on goal per game, with a mark of 7.25.

Titan Timeline

• Detroit Mercy has a 12-9-5 edge in the all time series, including a 2-0 win in last year's meeting in Detroit.
• UIC has won only one of the last nine meetings.
• The Titans have a winning record, 6-5-1, at Flames Field.  The Flames have not prevailed against Detroit Mercy on their home turf since 2008.