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

UIC will open the season-ending stretch, consisting of three matches in 13 days, with a home contest against Cleveland State Wednesday.  With a 5-1-1 record, the Flames trail only Northern Kentucky in the Horizon League standings, which are organized by points per game.  With 12 points and a 4-4 record, Cleveland State is currently just outside a tournament spot, in fifth place.

"Historically, we've always had very competitive battles with Cleveland State," Sean Phillips said.  "They're well-coached; their coach was one heck of a player who played good attacking soccer, and that's reflected in the teams he's put together."

The Flames have won their last two matches by a combined 9-0 scoreline.  Phillips said that their success on both ends of the pitch came from their work on the defensive end.

"Our biggest improvement has been our defensive mindset, and winning the ball in key spots.  Since doing that better, we've been in good spots to attack and get goals off transition.  For us to get the result we need, we have to continue to build the proactive defensive mindset we've had."

Sokratis Vasilas is the reigning conference Defensive Player of the Week after two clean sheets against Robert Morris and Purdue Fort Wayne.  Nkusuwila Zulu, who had a brace against the Mastodons, is an honorable mention selection to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week.  Zulu posted his first career brace against Cleveland State last season in a 2-1, overtime win.

"We need to be able to turn in a disciplined, balanced defensive performance," Phillips continued.  "Cleveland State has always had a good attacking team very capable of scoring goals.  They have a good young goalkeeper and experienced center backs.  It's going to take continued, improved attacking play from our end to get goals."

UIC is receiving votes in the Top Drawer and United Soccer Coaches national polls, and is ranked fourth in the United Soccer Coaches North Region rankings.  Wednesday's match will begin at 1 pm.

LAST TIME OUT

• The Flames scored a season high five goals and shut out Purdue Fort Wayne, 5-0, in windy, rainy conditions.
• Nkusuwila Zulu had his second brace of the season.
• Jose Perez Flores had two assists.

WHERE WE RANK

• UIC is sixth in the nation in shots per game, and ranks 14^th in shots on goal per game.
• With marks of 2.4 goals per game, and 7.0 points per game, the Flames rank 14^th and 15^th, respectively, in the NCAA.
• UIC is just outside the top 10 with a +11 goal differential.

SCOUTING THE VIKINGS

• Cleveland State had a two-match winning streak snapped last week, falling to Oakland 3-2.
• Jannis Schmidt and Bojan Kolevski each scored for the Vikings.  They lead the team with six and four goals, respectively.  Schmidt and Pablo Kawecki each have three assists.
• Omeed Naeemy has a 1.07 goals-against average and a .769 save percentage.

A REFRESHING PEPSI

• Jose Perez Flores handed out a career high two assists against Purdue Fort Wayne.
• Perez Flores, known as "Pepsi" to his teammates, missed two matches but returned against Robert Morris with a goal.
• He set season highs with five shots and three on goal against the Colonials.
• He has a point in four straight appearances.

VERSUS THE VIKINGS

• UIC has won three of the last four meetings, two of which went to overtime.
• Six of eight meetings from 2003 to 2009 went to extra time.
• Only three matches since 2009 have been decided by more than one goal.
• The Flames have won the last three matchups in Chicago.