UIC scored a season high four goals and earned a shutout win over Robert Morris, 4-0 Friday afternoon.

Roberto Alonzo and Alwin Seitz each scored from the run of play.  In between, the Flames converted two penalty kicks early in the second half.  Sokratis Vasilas and Andres Vasquez shared the shutout, combining for four saves.

"Coming off a result like we had at Green Bay where we weren't able to do things that we want to do, the players challenged themselves this week in training," Sean Phillips said.  "The staff challenged the players and ourselves to come up with a more complete performance.  We wanted a performance with more energy, more selfless running, being better in transition, better running off the ball to create opportunities. 

"Our first goal was a textbook example of how we want to play.  Robbie sold himself coming from the wide side on the left to take a serve from the right inside the penalty spot."

The Flames had the majority of possession, and rarely let Robert Morris regroup for multiple chances in the same attacking wave.  They came out of the halftime break looking to add to their 1-0 lead, and were rewarded for their committed, aggressive play.

"Our two penalty kicks were earned off good set piece play, created by good combination play and being committed to all the little things that have to happen.  We have the technical ability, but we have to be able to fight and scratch and claw to create those opportunities," Phillips said. 

"I thought our defending was much better.  Robert Morris had been getting much better.  They were very well organized in the first half and difficult to break down."

When the lead increased to three and then four goals, Phillips sent in several subs.  In all, ten players came off the bench.

"We have a deep team.  It was great to see those guys get out there.  They've been busting their tails all season in training.  When they came in, they made a positive impact.  Alwin stepped in to get us that fourth goal.  Today speaks a little bit to the depth of the team."

Match Highlights

• UIC got out on the front foot and advanced deep into the attacking zone three separate times in the first six minutes.  Keeper Mike Zolnierczyk was busy, intercepting passes from Pau Mateo, Eddie Garcia, and Jose Perez Flores, each of which was intended for a teammate on the run.
• The first quality chance came off the foot of Roberto Alonzo, whose close-in shot went wide.  Alonzo connected a pass to Nkusuwila Zulu in the ninth minute that resulted in a save.
• UIC earned a free kick even with the top of the box in the 16^th minute.  Garcia ran under it to try a header that went wide.  Robert Morris finally built up an attack of their own, getting off a shot from a throw-in that was saved for a corner kick, but in the ensuing action, the Colonials were called offside for the fourth time.
• Alonzo kept working as passing developed in the 37^th minute.  Zulu entered a ball to Christian Crespo, who found Alonzo on the run by the far post and an open net.  It took him just one touch to give UIC a 1-0 lead.
• The Flames scored twice on penalties in the first eight minutes of the second half.  A free kick from 30 yards out went toward the back post, and a Flame running in that direction was taken down.  Pau Mateo converted the try, and soon after Jose Perez Flores made it 3-0 after another foul in the box on a transition play initiated by a goal kick.
• The Flames' defense made a winning play when Robert Morris transitioned a Perez Flores shot into a counter attack.  A shot from down low was blocked over the end line, and Sokratis Vasilas jumped to grab the ensuing corner kick.  Jacob Graiber was instrumental a little later in breaking up a Colonial run down the flank.
• Alwin Seitz and Manny Cerritos each put a very credible shot toward the net, with Cerritos' requiring a tall effort by Zolnierczyk to prevent a goal.  In the 72^nd minute, Seitz got another chance from outside the left corner of the area.  He did not miss this time, sending an absolute rocket to the far 90.

Facts and Figures

• Perez Flores returned to the starting lineup after missing two games.
• Mateo's penalty was his second of the year.  His two goals are a career best.  Perez Flores stepped to the spot for the first time in his career.
• Seitz became the eighth Flame to score a goal this season.
• UIC set season highs with 25 shots and 13 on goal.  Robert Morris tallied nine and four, respectively, matching the lows by any opponent.
• Perez Flores had game highs with five shots and three on target.  Alonzo and Seitz each put half of their four shots on frame.
• UIC's offensive output was their highest goal total since scoring seven against IUPUI in October 2019.
• The Flames had five corner kicks; the Colonials had four.
• Andi Kallaba and Andres Vasquez each made their career debut.  Michael Silvar played for the first time this year.
• Vasquez came on in the 82^nd minute, marking the first time since November 2018 that anyone other than Vasilas stepped between the pipes.  Vasquez made one save.
• "Andres is a good goalkeeper," Phillips said, adding, "he earned his minutes and managed the game when he was in there.  The save he had to make, he made cleanly, and looked like he belonged."
• Two Colonials and three Flames – Jacob Graiber, Diego Mendoza, and David Gorniak – took yellow cards.

Up Next

• UIC will face another Horizon League newcomer, Purdue Fort Wayne, next week.
• The contest will be held at Indiana Tech's indoor facility.
• First kick will be at 11 am next Thursday.