UIC and Oakland went to overtime for the second straight meeting.  The Flames' defense came up big in the extra sessions to preserve a 2-2 draw on Wednesday afternoon.

"It was a hard-fought result by both teams," Sean Phillips said.  "As expected, it was a high level soccer game between two rivals, both of whom had opportunities to win the game in regulation as well as in overtime."

Each team converted a penalty kick in the physical, intense match that saw 31 fouls, five yellow cards, and a red card.  Oakland took the lead twice.  A goal by Nkusuwila Zulu following a free kick by Jose Perez Flores and a PK by Pau Mateo got the Flames back into the match each time.

"What was nice to see with the guys was we kept battling and tied the game up," Phillips continued.  "They went ahead and we were able to find a way to tie it up.  That's a characteristic I like to see in this team.  I don't want to see us fall behind, but as this team is forming, we've got some winning attributes in this group."

Sokratis Vasilas made six saves, including three in the overtimes that came from very dangerous, close-range shots.  Christian Crespo had a shot hit the crossbar early in the second half, and had an attempt trickle just wide of the post in the 89^th minute.

"For a neutral observer, it was a pretty entertaining game.  We got better as the game went on.  We're creating an identity for ourselves.  We were a better team at the end of this game than at the end of the last one against Wright State," Phillips concluded.

Match Highlights

• The tone was set early, with Oakland committing six fouls in the first 20 minutes, one of which drew blood. A fourth-minute cross was plucked out of the air by Vasilas, but the physical play in neutral territory prevented either team from generating any offense.
• Juan Gutierrez made a winning play to dispossess the dangerous Dylan Borczak in the box. Later, Vasilas came way off his line on a Golden Grizzly fast break and not only made the play, but earned a goal kick.
• Borczak broke things open just 30 seconds into the second half. He was played down low to a very sharp angle, and tucked his shot inside the far post. Less than five minutes later, Perez Flores answered with a rocket of a free kick from 25 yards out. He too went far post to bring the Flames level.  UPDATE: After video review, Nkusuwila Zulu was credited with the goal on a redirection of Perez Flores' free kick.
• UIC had two golden opportunities to take the lead in the ensuing action. Perez Flores took another free kick following a yellow card, and very nearly scored again. Later, Finn Jurak was drawn out of position by Nkusuwila Zulu, who fed Christian Crespo in front of a wide-open net, only to have his shot hit the crossbar.
• Noah Jensen converted from the spot in the 69^th minute. The Flames were poised to respond quickly again. Mateo took a free kick that Eddie Garcia headed toward the net but wide. Just later, Zulu had an opportunity on another fast break but was also wide of the frame.
• Mateo was true from the spot after an 84^th minute foul just inside the box. Bukola Abdulwahab put a late shot on target, which was saved in the final minutes of regulation.
• Garcia came up big defensively in the 92^nd minute against Borczak. Oakland continued to dominate possession and Vasilas made a leaping save of a rising shot. The ensuing corner kick gave Oakland two opportunities from close range. UIC's packed-in defense bothered them enough to miss the frame.
• Vasilas made two more saves in the second overtime. Oakland outshot UIC 8-2 in extra time, with three of their attempts going on net.

Facts and Figures

• The Starting XI remained intact from the last match against Wright State.
• Mateo's goal came on his first-ever attempt on a penalty kick.
• Three Golden Grizzlies, as well as their bench, received yellow cards. Charlie Brathwaite was shown red in the final 15 seconds. Juan Gutierrez was the only Flame to be cautioned.
• Shots were even in regulation, but Oakland's aggression in extra time gave them an 18-12 advantage in the final tally, and an 8-4 margin on goal.
• Oakland took nine corner kicks; UIC three.
• Abdulwahab paced UIC with three shots. Perez Flores, Crespo, and Alwin Seitz had two each.
• Vasilas' six saves were one short of his career high, set against Oakland last season.

Up Next

• The Flames will travel north to Milwaukee next Tuesday.
• The match against the Panthers will start at 11:00 am.