Just when it looked like UIC's 18-match home winning streak – the longest such streak in the nation – was about to come to an end, Andres Moreno gave his team new life.  The freshman scored the equalizing goal with 23 seconds to play, and Bukola Abdulwahab sent in the game-winner in overtime, as the Flames earned a dramatic win over Wright State, 3-2.

Bar Hazut got the Flames on the board early with a seventh-minute goal.  Ids Hannema entered the game in the 36^th minute and more than made up for lost time, putting Wright State ahead with two goals in the last four minutes of the first half.  UIC had plenty of chances to draw level throughout the second half.  Jesus Perez set up Moreno after a last, desperate push, and the Flames took all the momentum into the extra period until Bukie slammed the rebound of Hazut's shot into the net.

It was Wright State's first match at Flames Field since they were the last team to beat UIC there in 2017.  Though they threatened to win again – and bring both teams' Horizon League record to 2-2 – a raucous home crowd that included dozens of former players on Alumni Night spurred the home team to their fourth overtime win of the season.  It gives UIC a 3-1 mark in conference play and sole possession of second place in the table.

Moments That Mattered

• In the first real opportunity for either team, Aaron Nguyen took a pass from Abdulwahab into the box and shot on the run, forcing Joel Sundell to dive to get a hand on it.  The ball deflected off Sundell's hand right to Hazut in a spot where he easily chipped it into the empty net.
• Jesus Perez had one of his many moments of individual skill in the 21^st minute.  He juked his man left and right, all the while keeping his momentum forward.  Open for a shot, he sent his offering over the crossbar.
• Play was physical all night.  The rest of the first half saw more fouls and advances snuffed before they could really develop than chances for either team to finish or even apply pressure.  The Raiders took advantage of a ball won in UIC's end where Deri Corfe sent a great cross to Hannema on the run.  He smoothly headed the ball inside the left post to bring his team level at 1.
• In the final minute before halftime, Wright State – as they did often – played out of the back on a long ball from Sundell to the final third.  Zion Beaton dropped a back-heel pass to Hannema, 25 yards from the goal.  Hannema arced a heavy shot over a leaping Sokratis Vasilas to give the visitors their first lead.
• The Flames came out firing in the second half.  Perez and Jose Perez Flores each had dangerous shots that a Raider diverted for a corner kick.  Just a little later, Roberto Alonzo forced a save and Perez had another chance to equalize.  Meanwhile, Vasilas was called on to make two saves of his own.
• The intensity between the two rivals, who have met in two of the last three Horizon League championship matches, got even hotter as the second half continued.  Four yellow cards were issued in a span of just two minutes.  After the cautions took their intended effect and the game fell back into a flow, Abdulwahab took center stage.  He offered a bicycle kick inside the area and later had a more traditional attempt, both of which went just wide of the frame.
• As UIC increased the pressure in search of a late goal, Perez and Hazut had tries that gave the crowd hope.  The seconds ticked down as Pau Mateo sent a ball forward.  Perez chested it down and passed out of a double team to Moreno at the top of the box.  Moreno took a turn, fired a shot while falling down, and saw it beat Sundell to the left post.
• Carrying all the momentum into overtime, UIC had a virtual avalanche of shots.  Eduardo Garcia threatened to end the game, as did Cristian Sanchez when his shot hit the post.  Finally, Hazut worked into space down the right side of the box and launched a shot.  Sundell dove to get a hand on it, but once again the deflection went right to a Flame.  Abdulwahab was all alone at the goal line for the easy finish.

Postgame Reaction

• Andres Moreno
  
• Bukola Abdulwahab
  
• Sean Phillips
  

Facts and Figures

• Abdulwahab, Roberto Alonzo, and Hazut all started together up top for the first time.
• The Flames tied the all-time program record with their 19^th straight home win.The team also won 19 in a row from October 22, 1997 to October 6, 2000.
• Moreno's goal, the first of his career, was the second late equalizer of the season.  Jacob Graiber scored, also at 89:37, against Detroit Mercy to send that match into overtime.
• Hazut's goal was his league-leading ninth of the season.
• Perez had an assist to give him eight on the campaign – also a conference best.
• UIC dominated the shot-taking, finishing with a 24-11 edge.  Normally accurate with their attempts, they put only eight on frame.
• The Flames took nine corner kicks to Wright State's one.
• Six Raider advances were nullified by offsides.
• Abdulwahab and Perez each had five shots.  Hazut was the only Flame with more than one shot on goal.  He had two.
• Hazut, Sanchez, and Pau Mateo all picked up yellow cards.  Five Raiders were booked.

Up Next

• A crosstown match at Loyola is on tap Tuesday.
• It will be the Flames' last non-conference match of the season.
• Kickoff at Loyola Soccer Park will be at 7 pm.