UIC will host Horizon League co-favorite Oakland in its home opener Wednesday.  If the recent past is any indication, the match will be a close, tense affair.

"Since Oakland joined the conference, they have consistently been at the top," Sean Phillips said.  "Our games against them have always been very competitive, good, level soccer games that usually turn on one or two moments.  Whoever wins those moments wins the game."

Oakland took an early 2-0 lead in last season's matchup at Flames Field.  UIC tied the match in the 74^th minute, and won it in overtime.

Both teams shut out their opponents last week.  UIC stopped Wright State 1-0, and Oakland posted a 5-0 win over Robert Morris.

"They return a talented central midfield and added some attacking pieces.  Obviously they scored five goals in their last game, and any time you shut out an opponent it shows that you have quality in the defense," Phillips noted.  "We will have to work very hard defensively, individually and collectively, and we will also have to make some special plays to get a goal or two.

"As it always is, especially against a respected rival like Oakland, we have to have the better of the two mentalities over 90 minutes.  That's where the key plays are made or not made."

Diego Mendoza's first collegiate goal held up in UIC's opener.  Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week Sokratis Vasilas made four saves.  Despite the result against the defending conference tournament champion, Phillips identified room for improvement on the back end.

"We have to defend better.  I know it's odd to say that after a shutout, but I want to see us better defensively.  We had some good individual plays defensively but we need to be better collectively.

"Wright State was difficult and provided some challenges for us in the ball retention area.  We've worked on that the last few days in training.  We have to show the retention we're capable of.  We are very good at retaining when we're clocked in."

All home matches will take place indoors at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two in Rockford.  Spectators are not allowed, per Horizon League health and safety protocols.  Live stats will be available.  Kickoff is at 1:00 pm.

OPENING KICK

• UIC will open their home schedule against Horizon League co-favorite Oakland.
• UIC and Oakland tied atop the Horizon League preseason poll, though UIC collected more first-place votes.
• Both teams enter play 1-0.  UIC has won three straight against Oakland, including last season's 3-2 overtime thriller at Flames Field.
• Nkusuwila Zulu had one of his two golden goals in last year's match.

SCOUTING THE GOLDEN GRIZZLIES

• Oakland mauled Robert Morris, 5-0 in their opener.
• Dylan Borczak had a hat trick and and assist.  He is the Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week.
• Noah Jensen had three assists, and Finn Jurak completed the shutout in his Oakland debut.

SOKRATIS STANDS TALL

• Sokratis Vasilas posted the fourth shutout of his career against Wright State in the season opener.
• He made four saves, each one crucial in a 1-0 win.
• He was named Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week, and placed on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week (honorable mention).
• Vasilas set a career high with seven saves against Oakland October 19, 2019.

GOLDEN GRIZZLY GET-TOGETHERS

• UIC holds a 5-3-2 lead in the all-time series, and a 5-1-1 advantage since Oakland joined the Horizon League in 2013.
• Four of UIC's five wins against Oakland were one-goal finals.
• The Flames have won the last three meetings.
• UIC is 3-0-0 in conference matchups at home.