UIC's long-awaited return to Flames Field ended in disappointment after Northern Kentucky prevailed in a 1-0 final.  The Flames put 12 shots on goal, but Daniel Bermingham stopped all of them.  The lone marker came in the 78^th minute when Ben Hegge was free at the top of the circle after a corner kick, and sent the loose ball into the net.

"Congratulations to Northern Kentucky.  It takes a lot for a team to come in here in the regular season and win a game," Sean Phillips said.  "They executed their game plan to a tee and they were able to make the play they needed to.  This is a very difficult and challenging season, especially with all the issues that everyone has had to deal with.  For them to be sitting at 7-1 with the eight games they were able to play is impressive."

The Norse, who have a regularly-scheduled off week next week, clinched the Horizon League regular season title.  "I thought we were very good defensively in limiting their chances," Phillips continued.  "They had two corner kicks and converted one, as they've been good on set pieces this year.  We were not as sharp in the final third as we have been the last few games.  NKU had a good game plan and they stuck with it."

Only a couple of UIC's shots required acrobatics by the keeper, who did well not to allow any rebounds to sneak back into play.  "I think we had enough of the ball that if we were a little more precise with the final pass, or were a little more brave to ask for the ball, maybe we come out on the right end of this.  We have to take a look at the video and see what we can do better, get some rest, get sharp, get ready for our battle against Detroit Mercy on Monday," Phillips concluded.

The loss was UIC's first in 26 home matches, counting the Indoor Sports Center in Rockford as a home venue.  It was the first time in 22 appearance on Flames Field that they did not get a result.  The Flames fell to 6-2-1 with one match remaining.  They can still finish as high as second in the final standings, and are assured of a tournament spot as a top-four team.

Match Highlights

• UIC got out on the front foot and had early chances to get on the scoreboard.  Twice in the first two minutes, Nkusuwila Zulu put a shot on net.  Zulu would later unleash the Flames' best chance of the first half, requiring a leaping save to push his shot over the bar.
• The Norse took a free kick from just 20 yards out in the 14^th minute.  Sokratis Vasilas saw it all the way and made the sure save.  Later, a free kick by the Flames also went on net for a save that was anything but routine on a day when steady winds topped out at 30 miles per hour.
• Christian Crespo was sprung by a Pao Mateo free kick late in the first half, but his shot went over everything.  Before the half ended, the Norse countered with a shot from inside the box.  Vasilas saved the low skipper and the match was scoreless at halftime.
• The free-flowing match afforded both sides an opportune free kick in the first minutes of the second half.  Each went on target, and each was saved.
• The Flames piled up chances before the 70^th minute.  Jose Perez Flores tried a shot from down low after a feed from Alwin Seitz, but it was blocked away for a corner kick.  Later, UIC had three straight corner kicks but could not get anything working toward the goal.
• NKU broke the deadlock in the 78^th minute.  Their free kick seemed harmless enough on the initial action, as the Flames sent it away from the area, but nobody marked Hegge and he was free to line up a well-placed strike.
• Mateo put another free kick on goal with 10 minutes to play.  Roberto Alonzo tried to get one inside the upper right corner, but was denied, and the Flames were not able to get another credible chance the rest of the match.

Facts and Figures

• UIC's starting lineup remained intact from the last three matches.
• Senior David Gorniak played 13 minutes in his last regular-season match at Flames Field.
• The Flames outshot the Norse, 18-13, and put 12 shots on goal to NKU's seven.
• UIC took nine corner kicks.  NKU had just two, matching the season low by any UIC opponent.
• Dylan Bufton took five shots – the most by any individual opponent this year.  Perez Flores led the Flames with four, and he and Zulu both put three on target.
• Bermingham's 12 saves were the most by a Flame opponent since November 2019, when Omeed Naeemy of Cleveland State stopped 16.
• Three NKU players, as well as their bench, took yellow cards.  Manny Cerritos was the only Flame booked.

Up Next

• The Flames will close the regular season at Detroit Mercy.
• The match will be Monday at noon Central.