UIC will make its home debut Friday when the Flames play Valparaiso at 7 pm.
The home opener marks the beginning of a season-long four game homestand, and the 27
th installment of the rivalry between former Horizon League foes. Excitement on campus is building among fans who have been waiting to support the team in person for the first time since they won a third straight Horizon League championship last fall.
"It's going to be great to bring this team back home and let them compete in front of the home fans, and show the UIC community the type of student-athletes that the men's soccer team has to represent them,"
Sean Phillips said. "We've had a lot of events on campus this week; we've been asking our guys to get out and
meet the students. Between that and getting healthy and getting fresh from that long weekend in Columbus, we've had our challenges. I think the guys have done a good job of managing those as we get ready for this game on Friday."
UIC went 7-0-0 at home last season and has an overall 13-match winning streak at Flames Field. That is the second longest active streak in the nation. Phillips knows that in order for it to continue, his team will need to block out the distractions. "Coach Avery has always put together talented teams that are difficult to play against and who it's a challenge to get a result from. We are going to have to be mentally sharp and focused for a full 90 minutes to get a result," he said.
"If we're not, their teams have historically been able to punch you in the nose and make you pay for your mistakes. It's going to take a sharp, focused effort from us with the right mentality from pregame all the way through the last whistle to give our fans a win on Flames Field."
Last Time Out
- UIC wrapped play in the Wolstein Classic with a 1-0, weather-delayed loss at Ohio State Sunday.
- The Flames played a man down for the last 56 minutes.
- Sokratis Vasilas made a career high six saves.
- "I'm looking forward to seeing our team grow from a weekend at Ohio State where there were a lot of positives," Phillips said. "Dayton and Ohio State each offered areas where we have challenged the team to improve, and this match against Valpo will be a great opportunity Friday night to see how we've progressed in those areas."
Flames to Watch
Scouting Valparaiso
- Valpo drew with Green Bay to open the season, and manhandled Indiana Northwest in their last outing.
- "Getting a positive result at Green Bay is never easy," Phillips related from experience. "That shows the quality of the team that Valparaiso has this year."
- Cole Rainwater has three goals. Six Crusaders have at least one goal, and seven have an assist.
- Edvin Holst stopped eight of nine Green Bay shots on goal.
Crusaders Come Calling
- This will be a renewal of one of UIC's longest-standing rivalries, but the first meeting since 2016.
- The last matchup was a 1-0 Flames win at Flames Field that marked UIC's fifth straight win in the series.
- The last 10 matches between the programs have been decided by one goal or a draw.
- UIC holds a 21-3-2 advantage in the all-time series, and an 11-0-2 record at Flames Field.
