UIC opened its home schedule with a 1-0 win over defending MAC champion Western Michigan Monday night.  The Flames (3-1) got a 56^th minute goal from freshman Josiah Ash and prevented the visitors (1-3) from making any credible advances the remainder of the match.

No rain fell during the match, but the heavy rain that was dumped on Chicago during the afternoon rendered the grass wet and muddy for the duration.

How it Happened

• The Flames continued their trend of applying early pressure.  In just the third minute, Peter Becht sent a beautiful cross into the box.  Max Todd dove for it but couldn't connect.  The next time the Flames advanced down the field, Becht had a golden chance of his own from the right flank but pushed his shot wide into the side of the net.
• Western Michigan had their best chance of the first half in the 15^th minute.  A Flames giveaway in their defensive third put Paul Liagre in control of the ball for a close-range shot that was saved by Sawyer Jackman.
• Midway through the first, Jesus Perez dribbled through the heart of WMU's back line.  His advance on the dead run sputtered when he lost control of the slick ball before he could line up a shot.
• Just after Perez found room to maneuver and capitalized with a very credible strike which went just high, Josiah Ash sent a wicked cross to Markell Saddler.  The senior's dive went wanting and the Broncos took a harmless goal kick.
• Josiah Ash struck in minute 56 for the lone goal of the match.  Jacob Graiber and, in turn, Peter Becht, played the ball forward in transition.  Bronco keeper Lukas Von Lienen came out 30 yards to make a play, but mishandled the ball and Ash had a free run to the open net.
• Max Todd had a keen opportunity to double his team's advantage when he lined up a free kick from his sweet spot outside the box.  His attempt hit the crossbar and went straight down without crossing the goal line.
• The Flames continued to show aggression in the final third even as they protected their one-goal advantage in the game's late stages.  In the 80^th minute, Peter Becht send a low laser of a shot that Von Lienen saved with skill that belied his freshman status.  Becht later had another quality chance when his header clipped the crossbar.
• As Western Michigan gave every effort to score an equalizing goal in the final 90 seconds, Jesus Perez gave up his body to block a shot and allow his mates to clear.

Postgame Reaction

• Sean Phillips
  
• Josiah Ash
  

Facts and Figures

• Jaime Alonso made his first start of the season.  Alwin Seitz returned to the First XI.
• For the second straight match, the Flames attempted a season high 18 shots.  They more than tripled the Broncos' total of five attempts.
• Jackman recorded his second clean sheet of the young season.  He has allowed 0 or 1 goals in three of four matches.
• Jacob Graiber earned UIC's lone yellow card of the match.  Two Broncos received a yellow card.
• Todd had his three-match goal scoring streak end.  He took a game high six shots, but none went on goal.
• Becht had four shots and was credited with putting one on goal, but his chances were the best of anyone's from either side.
• UIC pressured Von Lienen to the tune of six shots on net.  The freshman, making his first collegiate appearance, made five saves.
• The start of the match was delayed 2:51 by rain and thunderstorms.

Up Next

• The Flames will open Horizon League play on Saturday.
• UIC will travel to 20^th ranked and undefeated Oakland.
• The match will kick off at 11:00 am Chicago time.