UIC outlasted Northern Illinois on a hot night at Flames Field Tuesday.  Jesus Perez provided the game-winning goal in the 76^th minute to complete the come-from-behind, 2-1 victory.

The tightly contested match tilted in NIU's favor early when Anthony Markanich scored in the 18^th minute.  Roberto Alonzo equalized the score before halftime, and Perez came up with a brilliant individual move on his birthday to put the Flames ahead to stay.

The win was UIC's 18^th in a row at home and moved them to 8-2 on the season.  They extended the nation's longest active such winning streak and moved within one of the program record.

Moments That Mattered

• The Huskies had the first good opportunities of the match.  Nick Markanich flicked a header on goal for Sokratis Vasilas' first save.  A minute later, Jan Maertins was the beneficiary of a successful build-up that sprung him for a close-range shot.  Vasilas made the play again, with help from Pau Mateo on the rebound as NIU was called for a foul.
• NIU cashed in shortly thereafter.  Carlos Valdez took the ball deep into the right corner before sending a determined cross just outside the six.  Anthony Markanich met the service at its peak and headed it past Vasilas.
• Alonzo did great work in traffic to create his shot in the 39^th minute.  The Flames took possession at midfield with Christian Crespo sending the ball forward into Alonzo's path.  The freshman juked two defenders, created enough space on the run, and beat the keeper with a low laser to the left post.
• Vasilas made a big play just before halftime.  As NIU was trying to build, a pass went ahead into no man's land.  UIC's keeper sprinted out of the box and dove on it before a charging Huskie could meet it, and the score remained tied at the break.
• UIC held possession for a few brief moments at the beginning of the second half, but two shots by Alonzo never threatened the net.  Then a back-and-forth rhythm emerged with both keepers taking turns on the stage.  Eduardo Garcia and Jose Perez Flores each had a shot saved.  Meanwhile, Vasilas turned away two NIU shots, all in a six minute span.
• Perez dazzled the home crowd with spectacular individual moves in the box.  He took a pass 22 yards out, volleyed it over a defender, then played it down and crossed up the keeper to the right post.
• The Flames nearly put it away with a third goal.  Perez Flores had a clean look on goal, and when his shot was saved, Bar Hazut one-touched the rebound toward net.  Martin Sanchez was able to make the play to keep his team in the game for the last seven minutes.  NIU's last best chance came after a last-minute foul that was initially ruled for a penalty kick, but after conversation between the referees was correctly changed to a free kick just outside the box.  The Flames defended that kick, and a late corner kick, with discipline.

Postgame Reaction

• Jesus Perez and Roberto Alonzo
  
   
• Sean Phillips
  

Facts and Figures

• Roberto Alonzo made his first start.  Elias McCloud remained in the starting lineup.
• There were 29 fouls called in the physical match, evenly split between the squads.
• The match was UIC's fourth straight one-goal affair, but their closest home final of the season.
• Vasilas made five saves.
• The Flames put half of their 18 shots on goal.  Six of 11 Huskie shots were on target.
• Eduardo Huerta was shown a late yellow card.  NIU's Luis Hernandez was booked in the last 17 seconds.
• When NIU scored, it marked UIC's first deficit at home this year.
• Alonzo and Perez each scored their fourth goal of the season.  Crespo's assist was his second.
• All three of Perez' shots were on goal.  Perez Flores had a team high four shots, with two on goal.
• UIC's 8-2 record matches their mark after 10 matches last year.  That was their best start since 2008 (8-0-2).  The 2018 squad lost their 11^th match.

Up Next

• UIC returns to Horizon League play after three straight non-conference matches.
• Northern Kentucky will be the opponent on Saturday.
• Kickoff from Highland Heights, Ky. will be at noon.