UIC set a season high for the second straight week, scoring five goals in a shutout win over Purdue Fort Wayne Thursday.

The match was played in cold, rainy, windy conditions, "the combination of which I haven't seen in a long time," Sean Phillips said.  "The guys managed it very well.  Our challenge this morning was, can we not only beat Purdue Fort Wayne, but also the elements.  It took the right mindset to do that and the guys had that the whole game."

Nkusuwila Zulu staked the Flames to a 1-0 halftime lead, and completed his second brace of the campaign early in the second half.  Eduardo Garcia and Olek Melnyk each scored for the first time this season. 

"The wind was such a character that both teams had to take a few minutes at the beginning of each half to adjust to what the wind would allow you to do and not allow you to do," Phillips continued.  "Fort Wayne had a chance early but besides that I thought we carried the play.  Once we found our footing, we had a goal and other good opportunities that were just off.  I was happy with our ability to pass and keep the ball on the ground, staying in constant motion helped us keep possession, and we established a good tempo."

Sokratis Vasilas made five saves for his second clean sheet, and the team's third.  Eight players saw significant playing time as subs, with three getting nearly a half hour on the pitch.

"The good thing about the group today is we were able to add to our team's character.  We scored great goals off excellent buildup, had good passing and passing in the right moments, and when the game dictated something different, we added that," Phillips stated.  "The guys that came on in the second half preserved the shutout and made a contribution on the scoreboard.

"Our guys came out and outworked the opponent, which is what you have to do in these environments."

Match Highlights

• The match got off to a physical start.  Nine fouls were called in the first 16 minutes, and shot attempts were hard to come by for both squads.
• After play opened up a little, the Flames struck.  Jose Perez Flores moved the ball down the far right flank before sending in a cross.  Nkusuwila Zulu got his head on it, and nodded it down into the net.
• Shortly after Zulu's goal, Eddie Garcia was sprung on a free kick for a shot in the box that was saved.  Just minutes after that, the Flames had another opportunity.  Zulu shot from right to left, and when keeper Erik Josson stayed with it and pushed it further left, Roberto Alonzo gathered the rebound and shot just wide of the right post.
• Purdue Fort Wayne initiated their first serious threat of the match in the 40^th minute.  A shot from outside the box was parried away, and on the ensuing corner kick the Mastodons had an initial shot blocked and their next shot saved again.  That resulted in another corner kick, which UIC cleared and turned into a transition opportunity.
• Zulu took the penalty kick after a 51^st-minute PFW foul in the box.  Christian Crespo made a move past his man and was tripped right after he entered the box.  The Mastodons built up a response and tried to cut their deficit in half, but Vasilas made the save.
• The Flames put the match out of reach in quick order.  Garcia's goal came in the 66^th minute, after he tucked in from a wide position and sent a heavy, low screamer to the back post.  Pau Mateo scored five minutes later after his initial shot with the left foot was blocked, gathering the rebound and scoring with his right.  Purdue Fort Wayne's kickoff after the latter sprung them immediately for a shot that Vasilas had to bat over the line.  UIC cleared the corner kick.
• Andres Moreno and Zulu each had a shot saved before a wave of subs entered in the 81^st minute.  Vasilas had to make one final save in the late minutes.  Freshmen Alex Canfield and Andi Kallaba each took a shot, and Kallaba assisted on classmate Melnyk's goal with 36 seconds left.  The blast from 25 yards away was another laser, to the upper right corner.

Facts and Figures

• The Starting XI remained unchanged from the last match against Robert Morris.
• Zulu moved up to five goals on the season, and Mateo's first from the run of play gave him three altogether.
• Perez Flores had two assists for the first time.
• Kallaba's assist gave him the first point of his career.
• Garcia had a career high six shots.  Zulu put four of his five attempts on goal.
• The Flames outshot their hosts 19-11 and had a 9-5 edge in shots on goal.
• Purdue Fort Wayne took five corner kicks.  UIC had just one.
• Four Mastodons were issued yellow cards.  Perez Flores and Melnyk were also cautioned.

Up Next

• UIC will return home for their next two matches.
• Cleveland State will visit next Wednesday.
• The match will start at 11 am.