The 22^nd-ranked Flames will venture north to Green Bay for a pivotal Horizon League match Saturday afternoon.  The contest will take place outdoors at Aldo Santaga Stadium.

"Green Bay has always been a difficult place to play and I expect nothing different Saturday.  They are a well-coached group whose ability to go forward presents challenges for us," Sean Phillips said.  "We have to play our most complete game defensively to contain their dangerous attack.  At the same time, from an attacking standpoint, we have to strive for ball possession and combination plays to break them down."

UIC (3-0-1) enters as the first place team in the Horizon League, a position they have attained with stellar defense.  The Flames are first in the conference in goals allowed (1.0 per match), second in goals-against average (0.95), and Sokratis Vasilas is atop the conference leaderboard with a .833 save percentage.

UIC's offense, while not as dominant as it was last season when it ranked in the top five nationally in several categories, is still one of the more potent sides in the conference.  The team is second with 1.75 goals per game, even as the unit continues to sharpen with each match.  Nkusuwila Zulu, who exploded on to the scene late last season and led the Horizon League in goals and points per conference contest, had a brace in the Flames' last match and is currently second in both of those categories.

"Can we put together a 90 minute performance?" Phillips wondered.  "We've played good halves and good spurts, but we're struggling to find consistency.  In order to do that against any team, but especially Green Bay at their place, is a challenge.  I think the guys are up for it.  We've had a good week of training and continue to get healthy and match-fit.  I'm looking forward to our guys meeting that challenge."

The Flames are third in the initial United Soccer Coaches North Region poll, which came out earlier this week, and 22^nd in the group's national rankings.  Zulu is on this week's College Soccer News Team of the Week.

The match will not be streamed, but live stats will be available.

OPENING KICK

• UIC will venture to Green Bay Saturday afternoon.
• The Flames are ranked 22nd in United Soccer Coaches' first national poll of the spring.  They are receiving votes in the College Soccer News poll.
• It is UIC's second outdoor match of the season. They defeated Wright State in their only other outdoor contest.
• UIC is second in the Horizon League in goals scored and first in goals allowed.  The Phoenix are tied with UIC, allowing 1.0 goals per game.

LAST TIME OUT

• The Flames defeated IUPUI 2-1 thanks to Nkusuwila Zulu's second career brace.
• UIC trailed at halftime for the first time all season.  Zulu scored in the 57th and 68th minutes to help the Flames rally.
• UIC outshot IUPUI 23-13, but each team had seven shots on goal.

SCOUTING GREEN BAY

• Green Bay is coming off a 2-0 loss to Purdue Fort Wayne. Previously, they defeated Cleveland State and played Robert Morris to a 0-0 draw.
• Villi Kadal and Bassibey Rhule each have one goal and one assist.
• Jamison Yoder has a .750 save percentage and an 0.87 goals-against average.

ZULU IS ALPHA

• Nkusuwila Zulu scored both Flames goals in the 2-1 win over IUPUI.  It was his second career brace.
• Zulu was named to the College Soccer News Team of the Week following his outburst against the Jaguars.
• The only Flame with multiple goals (3) and multiple assists (2), Zulu leads the squad with 8 points.
• He ranks second in the Horizon League in goals, and third in assists.

FACING THE PHOENIX

• UIC has won eight of the last nine meetings to pull to within one game of Green Bay in the all-time series, 22-23-1.
• The Flames won three straight at Green Bay within that stretch.  They are 3-3 in their last six on the road.
• UIC has outscored the Phoenix, 6-2, at Aldo Santaga Stadium since 2012.