Nkusuwila Zulu scored twice, leading UIC to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over IUPUI Sunday afternoon.

The Flames faced a 1-0 halftime deficit following Matthew Skaar's 24^th-minute goal.  Zulu brought the Flames level by redirecting a corner kick into the net, and then he banged home the game-winner nine minutes later.

"I'm not really surprised that the game went the way it went," Sean Phillips said.  "IUPUI has always been a tough team to break down, and they were today.  IUPUI has been very good at countering and when they have a chance, they bury it.  It was a new challenge for our guys to be down at halftime.  We made a tactical adjustment and the guys kept plugging away."

Though the Flames outshot IUPUI 14-3 in the first half, and 23-13 for the game, the Jaguars had several moments in the second half when they were able to generate a look on a restart.  UIC's back line made winning plays down the stretch, and Sokratis Vasilas had six saves.

"Everyone had some good moments today," Phillips continued.  "It's good to see the depth of this team step up and provide some performances on which we can build as we look ahead to Green Bay on Saturday."

Match Highlights

• The Flames had the first good opportunity when Zulu fed Jonathan Sanchez in front of the net.  Sanchez had plenty of room to shoot, but sent it high.  IUPUI's first attempts came on a free kick that went on target, and a header that went wide in the subsequent action.
• Christian Crespo figured large as the Flames had the better of play in the first 20 minutes.  He found Zulu open for a moment of individual prowess, and soon after took a shot of his own that hit the post.
• "I thought we created a couple of good opportunities early, but we weren't quite good enough.  Crespo hit the post early and that might have changed the outcome of the game," Phillips said.  "I'm really pleased with how he's come along.  He's a very clever soccer player, very smart, I actually wish he was on the ball more today."
• IUPUI attacked quickly, moving the ball to the right corner.  Chris Workman sent a cross to Skaar, who was on the money.  Pau Mateo nearly answered in the 37^th minute with a free kick from 22 yards out that he bent outside the right post.
• The Jaguars took a corner kick early in the second half.  Vasilas was out of position after the initial volley, and a Jaguar controlled the ball in front of an open net, but UIC's back line did not allow a shot.  Vasilas made a big save when IUPUI took a shot off a restart shortly later.
• Olek Melnyk tested the Jaguar keeper with a shot created by possessive dribbling across the top of the box.  Roberto Alozno took a shot from the top of the box three minutes later that required a leaping save.
• Alonzo took a good shot from an angle that set up UIC's first goal.  It was tipped over the line, and on the ensuing corner kick, Crespo served the ball right to Zulu's head for the equalizer.
• "Sometimes in a game like this, it takes a set piece goal to open the other team up," Phillips noted.  "Crespo sent in a great ball to Zulu.  It took some cleverness from him and Robbie Alonzo to break down IUPUI."
• Zulu scored again after Manny Cerritos initiated offense in the final third.  "It was great to see him get his first goal from the run of play" after scoring twice on restarts, Phillips said.  "Manny Cerritos stepped in for his first minutes of the year, and gave us some great minutes at right center back.  We moved him to right back, and we need our right backs to attack and that's what he did.  He served in a great ball and Zulu buried that one too."
• UIC's defense closed out the match with several important plays.  Vasilas grabbed a header flicked on net after a throw-in, and made a crucial save on a one-timer off a corner kick.  Jacob Graiber, Eduardo Garcia, and the rest of the back line were often in place to disrupt passes and win possession.

Facts and Figures

• Cerritos saw his first action of the season, joining the starting lineup for the first time since October 27, 2018.  Freshman Olek Melnyk and Jonathan Sanchez made their first career starts.
• Zulu's brace was the second of his career.  He had two goals against Cleveland State last season.
• Crespo and Cerritos each posted their first assist of the season.
• Zulu had a game high five shots, and Melnyk had four.  They combined for five of UIC's seven shots on goal.
• Vasilas' six saves tied his season high.
• Five field players played the full 90 minutes.
• Aaron Nguyen took a yellow card late in the match.  One Jaguar was carded.

Up Next

• The Flames will take on Green Bay Saturday.
• The match is scheduled for 1 pm from Aldo Santaga Stadium.
• Live coverage is to be announced.