UIC secured a home match in the Horizon League quarterfinals with a 1-0 win over Green Bay Wednesday afternoon.  Bukola Abdulwahab scored in the 10^th minute to provide all the offense the Flames would need.

Sean Phillips' Summary
"I'm very pleased with the result.  Green Bay was characteristically difficult to break down.  They created some dangerous opportunities on counters and set pieces, but we managed those.  Alwin [Seitz], who continues to play well, combined with Bukky to give us the lead.  While we didn't get a second goal, which I thought we were going to need, we carried enough of possession that we managed the game the rest of the way."
 
Turning Points

• Abduwahab netted the lone goal off an assist from Alwin Seitz.  It was his fourth goal of the season, and his second straight game-winner.
• Andres Vasquez made a save when Green Bay created a shot via a 21^st-minute corner kick.  It was one of only two shots on goal that he had to stop.
• The Flames ripped off two shots in the first 16 seconds of the second half, en route to an 11-1 margin in shots in the final 45 minutes.

Match Summary
UIC controlled the tempo of the match from start to finish, and earned a much-needed win to cement themselves in the #4 seed of the Horizon League tournament. 

"We had a bright start," Phillips said.  "Josh Torres was in on goal quickly, and it's too bad we couldn't finish that chance" in the third minute.  Shortly thereafter, Abdulwahab didn't miss when Seitz slotted the ball to him, he turned his defender, and shot low past the keeper.

Eduardo Garcia offered a free kick over the crossbar, and later in the first half had one of his match-high five shots saved.  In between, despite carrying more of the game, the Phoenix were often their own worst enemy.  Four times in the first half hour, they were flagged offside.  A number of their chances came after Jose Perez Flores left the pitch.  "It took us a while to find our feet after we subbed Pepsi out," Phillips stated.  "We did respond well in the second half.  Brian Perez stepped into Pepsi's role and helped us solve some of the challenges Green Bay presented."

The Flames looked every bit of a team that wanted to play once more at home during the second half.  Abdulwahab and Garcia each unleashed a shot within the first 16 seconds.  Later, Seitz and Andres Moreno had shots in rapid succession.  On two occasions, the Flames turned a corner kick into a shot.  The Phoenix laid their bodies on the line, blocking a number of shots.  Only four of UIC's 16 shots went on goal.  But staked to an early lead, the Flames played smart the rest of the way.

"By carrying possession, we limited their chances," Phillips said.  The Flames had the ball for 61% of the second half.  "When Green Bay did get the ball, we did better in the second half with minimizing their opportunities in transition."

Andres Vasquez posted his second straight shutout, and seventh on the season.  The Flames finished fourth in the Horizon League standings, one point behind Milwaukee.  UIC will host Detroit Mercy in a quarterfinal match Sunday at 1 p.m.  Admission to Flames Field will be free.