UIC will return to the pitch for the first of three consecutive Horizon League matches, in a conference tilt at Cleveland State Saturday night. The Flames (8-2, 3-0 HL) will put their undefeated conference record on the line against a Vikings squad (1-5-1, 0-2-1 HL) they beat twice last season.
"The games with Cleveland State are always challenging, especially away," head coach
Sean Phillips observed. "They return several key pieces from their team which reached the Horizon League semifinals last year. After watching them on video, their record is not indicative of their quality as a team. We are going to have to play our best game to date to get the desired result on Saturday evening."
Last Time Out
- The Flames gutted out a 2-1 win over crosstown rival Loyola Tuesday.
- Josiah Ash scored both UIC goals and had a shot clank off the crossbar. It was his second brace of the season.
- Sawyer Jackman made two saves from point-blank range in the 89th minute to preserve the win. He stymied Loyola in the late goings for the second straight year, after saving a penalty kick in overtime last season.
- The Flames, playing a man down for the final 14:10, tied their season low in shots on goal (4) for the second straight game.
Flames to Watch
- Jesus Perez leads the NCAA with nine assists. Oscar Gonzalez and Markell Saddler are tied for 13th, with five assists each.
- Saddler leads the Horizon League in goals and points within conference play.
- Max Todd leads the team with six goals, four of which have been game-winners.
- Todd, Saddler (twice), Perez, and Josiah Ash each have a brace this year.
- Sawyer Jackman's five shutouts and 0.67 goals-against average lead the conference, and his .842 save percentage ranks second.
Scouting Cleveland State
- Cleveland State fell to nationally-ranked Wright State, 4-1, in their last match a week ago Saturday.
- After being shut out in their first three matches, the Vikings have scored in their last four, including a 2-0 win over Bowling Green.
- Gabe Pewu has three goals, and Noah Pio has three assists.
- Alex Gyerman and Nicklas Rulle have combined for a 1.80 goals against average and a .649 save percentage.
Viking Vitals
- UIC's long rivalry with Cleveland State extends back to 1981 and covers 40 matches.
- The Flames defeated the Vikings twice last year, including in the Horizon League semifinals, snapping a three match losing streak to CSU.
- UIC is 0-3-3 in their last six matches at Krenzler Field. Their last road win over Cleveland State was in 2005.
Statistically Speaking
- UIC is second in the nation in total assists (30) and third in assists per game, with 3.00.
- Two undefeated teams - #1 Wake Forest and #4 Denver - are the only teams with more assists per game than UIC.
- With 74 total points, the Flames rank fourth; and their 7.4 points per game average is good for ninth.
- UIC's total scoring output of 22 goals is good for eighth nationally, and their 2.20 goals per game rank them 13th.
- Jesus Perez is first in the country with nine total assists. He is fourth in assists per game, with 0.9.
- Sawyer Jackman's five shutouts rank him fourth in the nation. He is 14th in save percentage, at .841.
all statistics and rankings as of 9/26
