UIC outlasted Cleveland State and won its third straight match, 1-0 Wednesday afternoon.

Jose Perez Flores scored in the 69^th minute, making it five straight games with a point, and UIC's defense closed things out from there.  They allowed the Vikings just one shot on goal in the second half, and none after they took the lead.

"It shouldn't come to anybody's surprise that another UIC-Cleveland State game was tightly contested," Sean Phillips said.  "There were two differences in the game.  One, I thought Sok turned in another very good performance.  He made some key saves at key moments.  Two, it was nice to see Andres Moreno come in off the bench and create an opportunity by taking a half-chance.  He connects to Zulu, and then Pepsi just does a toe bash.  It was a beautiful, ugly goal."

The match ebbed and flowed throughout, though UIC did have significant bouts of possession in the second half.  "I felt overall we had a bright start to the game.  Nothing really tested their goalkeeper," Phillips said.  "Cleveland State, because they're well-coached and have several good soccer players in the front half of their team, gave us some challenges.  I don't like Sok having to make five saves in a game, much less in one half, and some of them were of a very high quality."
 
UIC's starters played the entire first half, and the Flames made only two second-half changes – one of whom was Moreno, who impacted the scoreline within five minutes of entering.  "The coaching staff asked the players to make a little bit of an adjustment and the guys implemented it.  They communicated and were on the same page in the second half," Phillips explained.   "Alwin [Seitz] solidified the left side for us.  They created opportunities where we could have had a couple of goals."

The Flames have won three straight, all via shutout, and moved ahead of next week's opponent – idle Northern Kentucky – with 19 points in Horizon League play.  "It's always good to have three good results.  Unlike the results early in the season, I feel our performances the last three games have been much more complete," Phillips observed.  "It's no surprise that Northern Kentucky is where they are.  Stu [Riddle] has a history of getting programs to a competitive place very quickly and battling for the championship.  They're in a good place right now and in good form.  I expect a pretty darn good soccer game on Tuesday."

Match Highlights

• The Flames were awarded a free kick just outside the box in the early goings.  Action on that restart resulted in a corner kick, which afforded Jose Perez Flores a shot that the Vikings headed out of the box.
• Cleveland State built up some possession and challenged Sokratis Vasilas twice in a four-minute span.  The Flames keeper made both saves, and went on to turn away five in the first half.
• Nkusuwila Zulu was the first Flame downfield when the Vikings played the ball back, and made a winning play to take possession.  Later, Perez Flores had a good look at the net from 20 yards out, but sent his shot wide.
• UIC had a couple of moments of buildup early in the second half.  Manny Cerritos played Zulu into clear space right of the goal, but his well-measured shot went wide.  Five minutes later, the Flames took a corner kick that Jacob Graiber headed toward the crossbar, requiring a save.
• The Flames pushed forward in transition and scored in a flash.  Andres Moreno initiated the attack, and Zulu connected with Perez Flores close to the goal.  It took Perez Flores just one touch to poke the ball into the net.
• Cleveland State played inspired soccer after the kickoff.  Good defense by UIC's back line, including Pau Mateo and Eduardo Garcia, thwarted their initial push toward an equalizer.
• Alonzo and Zulu had chances late to give the Flames some breathing room.  Cleveland State was their own worst enemy twice near the 87^th minute, getting flagged for offside twice in a brief span.

Facts and Figures

• UIC's starters remained intact from the last two matches.
• Perez Flores' goal was his third of the season, tying him for second on the team.
• Zulu became the team's outright leader with his fourth assist.  Moreno's helper was his first of the season.
• Perez Flores had a game- and personal season-high six shots.  Zulu and Garcia each put two attempts on goal.
• Sokratis Vasilas tied his season high with six saves, five of which came in the first half.  His clean sheet was his third solo, and fourth total shutout.
• Only two bench players – Moreno and Alwin Seitz – saw playing time.
• UIC outshot Cleveland State 20-11 and had a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.
• Graiber was issued a yellow card.  Two Vikings, and their bench, were carded.

Up Next

• UIC will host Northern Kentucky on Tuesday.
• The match will be pivotal in determining the Horizon League champion, as the squads are 1-2 in the standings and separated by just one point.