Please Note: Spectators are not allowed at UIC home matches.

UIC will return to action Sunday against IUPUI, in a match that pairs two teams at different points in the evolution of their seasons.

The Flames enter play at 2-0-1 and are coming off a bye week that allowed them to recuperate and work on areas of concentration identified in the first three matches.  IUPUI, on the other hand, has had to start and stop their activities due to COVID protocols, and only played their first match of the campaign last week.

"We have to be ready for a disciplined defensive team that is talented enough to beat you in the counter," Sean Phillips said.  "Even though they've only played one game, IUPUI's DNA has been pretty consistent since Brian [Barnett] took over.  That DNA will require us to be efficient in the final third. 

"We have to be able to break them down with combination play and perhaps some individual cleverness, but also be balanced defensively so we don't give them any opportunities the other way.  We were challenged when we faced them in the Horizon League semifinal two years ago in that we were not balanced defensively, and they got out in front.  They have some good attacking pieces that are underrated."

The Flames have won two road matches, and have a draw with Oakland in their lone home match to date.  With home games being played in Rockford this season, the commute can give them the feel of an away contest.  "We took a couple of days to regenerate, then worked on getting sharper," Phillips related.  "We're trying to become better at the things that define our team and our program - being solid defensively, being good in transition, and solving problems with the ball."

UIC is atop the Horizon League standings with seven points.

OPENING KICK

• UIC will return home to face IUPUI Sunday afternoon.
• Since IUPUI joined the Horizon League, UIC is 3-0 against them in regular season matches.
• UIC is second in the Horizon League in goals scored and goals allowed.

LAST TIME OUT

• The Flames defeated Milwaukee 2-1 on the strength of two first-half goals.
• Jose Perez Flores scored in the 13th minute, and Christian Crespo added the eventual game-winner.
• Sokratis Vasilas had four crucial saves, all in the first half.
• Nkusuwila Zulu had his second assist and a game high five shots.

SCOUTING THE JAGUARS

• IUPUI started their season just last week due to COVID protocols.  They lost to Purdue Fort Wayne, 2-0.
• Quinn McCallion made two saves in the loss.
• Freshman Rayan Choukri had a game-high four shots.

GOAL SCORERS

• UIC has spread the wealth, getting one goal each from five players so far.
• Diego Mendoza, Nkusuwila Zulu, Pau Mateo, Jose Perez Flores, and Christian Crespo have all tallied.
• Mendoza's and Perez Flores' goals were the first of their careers.

IUPUI INTERSECTIONS

• UIC has never lost to IUPUI, with three wins and two draws all-time.
• The Flames have outscored the Jaguars 15-3 in their three wins, and 18-6 in the all-time series.
• The teams have met once in the postseason, in the 2018 Horizon League semifinals.  UIC advanced in a PK shootout after a 1-1 draw.