UIC's Horizon League tournament run will begin in the quarterfinal round against Detroit Mercy Sunday afternoon. The match will begin at 1 p.m. at Flames Field, and admission is free.
"Tournament play requires tremendous attention to detail in all aspects of the game,"
Sean Phillips said. "Our team knows that, as does Detroit Mercy, who is no stranger to the postseason. We have to continue to strive to be excellent in our ball retention, transition, set pieces, and mentality. When we have done that this season, we have gotten the desired result. This time of year, it is all about doing whatever it takes to advance."
The Flames defeated Detroit Mercy during the regular season, in a match that ended up deciding home field. UIC is the #4 seed, with 18 points in conference play. The Titans' 15 points landed them the #5 seed, two points clear of the rest of the league.
Bukola Abdulwahab scored the game-winner against the Titans, as he did in UIC's most recent match at Green Bay. He is second on the team with four total goals.
Josh Torres, a Horizon League All-Freshman selection, scored the team's other goal in the 2-0 win over Detroit Mercy.
Andres Vasquez blanked the Titans and carries a two-match shutout streak into the postseason.
The quarterfinal round is relatively unfamiliar territory for UIC. They have been the #1 or #2 seed, and received a bye to the semifinals, in each of the last seven tournaments. Only twice in program history has the team been the #4 seed. The Flames fell, 1-0 in overtime, as #4 in the 2003 quarterfinals. They picked up a 1-0 quarterfinal win in 1997, before falling to the #1 seed in the semifinals, 2-0.
The Flames' win over Detroit Mercy this fall evened the all-time series, 12-12-5. The series includes just one previous postseason matchup. UIC posted a 5-1 win in 2002, in a 3-vs-6 quarterfinal match at Flames Field.
Detroit Mercy solidified their position in the league standings with a 1-0 win over Wright State in the regular season finale. Jonathan Kliewer led the Horizon League in goals allowed and save percentage during the regular season, becoming the Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year and a First Team All-Horizon League pick. Demetri Pliakos leads the Titans offensively with three goals and six assists. He and Kyle Bandyk placed on the All-Conference Second Team.
Regardless of the outcome, Sunday's match will be the last-ever at Flames Field, as it is currently configured. The winner will move on to the semifinals, which, along with the championship game, will be played at #1 seed Oakland. Construction will begin next week on the Flames Field renovations.
The match can be seen on ESPN+.
