Defense may win championships, but it definitely won the Chicago Derby showdown at Loyola Soccer Park Tuesday night.  UIC's high-powered offense was frustrated all night by Loyola's suffocating defense and the Ramblers prevailed by a 3-1 final.

The Flames entered the match leading the nation in shots per game and fifth in scoring offense.  Loyola's top-35 defense limited UIC to seven shots, only two of which were on goal.

Games involving UIC this season had averaged a total of 29 combined shots, with 13 of those going on target.  By executing its defensive strategy consistently and with good effect, Loyola forced the shot totals well below half of those standards.

Moments That Mattered

• In minute 12, Jacob Graiber defended a 1v1 situation but in doing so, fell to the ground and had the ball deflect off his hand.  Loyola converted the penalty kick despite Sokratis Vasilas guessing right and getting a fingertip on the shot.
• Bukola Abdulwahab was the Flames' most active player in the final third during the first half.  Early in the match, Loyola's defense made the necessary plays to defend advances that he was part of.  He had a much more dangerous moment when Loyola's keeper came out 16 yards but only tipped the ball he was trying to play.  Abdulwahab gathered it and looked to steal a goal, only for another defender to make the play.
• In the 18^th minute, Abdulwahab finally cashed in.  He beat his man into the area, gathering the ball smoothly as he advanced on net.  As soon as he had possession, he slotted a left-footed shot inside the left post.
• Loyola went back ahead on a set piece.  A corner kick got served into the center of the box where Billy Hency had a free run.  He dove toward the corner, got his head on it and redirected it toward the post behind him.
• UIC had its longest continuous stretches of possession at the onset of the second half.  Roberto Alonzo dropped a pass off to Abdulwahab as the two converged in the box.  Bukie's shot went high from close range.
• Perhaps as a result of UIC's newfound success in playing free, Loyola earned four yellow cards in a nine minute span.   After the third one, Jesus Perez' free kick was a try that went high.
• The Ramblers scored their insurance goal in transition in the 63^rd minute.  Fabian Becerra beat his man into the box and took a well-placed pass on the run, then beat Vasilas to the left post.
• Perez and Hazut executed a nice give and go with a shot resulting in the box.  Typical of Loyola's defensive effort all night, they were in position to block it.  The Flames would not mount a credible scoring threat the rest of the night.

Facts and Figures

• Andres Moreno, the hero of Saturday's game against Wright State, made his first appearance in the Starting XI.
• Abdulwahab's goal was his fourth of the season, moving him into a tie for second on the team.  He has scored in each of the last three matches.
• Apart from the three first-half goals, only three shots were taken – all by UIC, and none on target.  There were no saves in the first 45 minutes. 
• The only save of the game came when Perez sent a free kick right to Marcel Kampman for the easy catch.
• The Flames' seven shots and two on goal both tied season-low marks.
• The Ramblers only took six shots.  All three that went on goal went into the goal.
• UIC dropped to 2-4 on the road.  They have lost their last two road matches.
• It was just the third time that UIC was held to one goal or less.  They have lost all three of those matches.
• Loyola has won five of the last seven meetings, with one draw.
• The Flames wrapped non-conference play with a 6-3 record.

Up Next

• UIC returns home Saturday for an important Horizon League match.
• First place Oakland will visit Flames Field for a 7 pm kick.