It has been a small sample size – just one match – but UIC has enjoyed the home cooking at Flames Field this year.

Go back even farther, and this season's success should come as no surprise.

After splitting their first two matches of the season in Columbus, the Flames opened their home schedule Friday by exploding for five goals in a 5-1 win over Valparaiso. 

The Valpo result was a continuation of UIC's recent success at home.  They went undefeated at Flames Field last year and have won 14 straight there – the nation's second-longest active streak.

They will attempt to keep the production going Sunday night against Western Illinois (0-3).  UIC is 7-0-1 in the last eight home meetings, dating back to 1994, with the Leathernecks.  Kickoff will be at 7 pm.  Admission to Flames Field is free.

Last Time Out

• UIC scored five goals for the first time since 2008 on Friday.
• Bar Hazut opened the scoring at 0:55 and had a natural hat trick by the 28th minute.
• Jesus Perez scored 22 seconds after Hazut's third goal, and finished with two goals and an assist.
• The Flames totaled six assists, from six different players.

Flames to Watch

• Hazut's hat trick were the first three goals of his Flames career.  He and Perez are the only Flames with multiple goals this season.
• Bukola Abdulwahab has a team high two assists.
• Sokratis Vasilas improved his save percentage to .789 by stopping six of seven Valpo shots.

Scouting Western Illinois

• Western Illinois has opened their season with matches against three Horizon League teams.
• WIU has surrendered three goals in each game.
• Against Oakland on Friday, the Golden Grizzlies broke a tie just six minutes after Western drew even, and went up by two a minute into the second half.
• Four Leathernecks have one goal each. Caleb Ragland paces the squad with two assists.

Leatherneck Lessons

• The series between UIC and Western Illinois dates to UIC's first year of Division I play (1981) and spans 23 matches.
• The teams played regularly in the late '80s and '90s but have met just four times since 2000.
• Western won 12 of the first 13 meetings. UIC has won nine of the last 10.
• The Flames have not lost to WIU since October 17, 1993.
• UIC has shut out Western Illinois in each of the last four meetings.