Milwaukee scored the first two goals of the match and held on for a 2-1 victory over UIC Saturday night, despite a season high 14 shots on goal by the Flames.  Bukola Abdulwahab halved the deficit in the 71^st minute, and UIC dominated possession and chances the rest of the match, but could not tally an equalizer.

Sean Phillips' Summary
"Compliments to Milwaukee.  In a game like this, a lot of the time it comes down to who wants it more. They wanted it more than we did for lots of the game.  They took great advantage of their opportunities and created some other ones."

Turning Points

• The Panthers struck in the second minute, slotting home a cross.  They got the eventual game-winner in the 62^nd minute when a runner was left open and shot past Andres Vasquez to the left post.
• Abdulwahab's goal came after Josiah Ash played him into the box.  A sweet individual move got the keeper off his feet, and Abdulwahab easily finished.
• A corner kick in the 84^th minute gave UIC a golden chance to tie the match.  After the keeper punched the initial service away from his frame, Juan Gutierrez headed it toward the now-open net, only to have a defender head it off the line.

Match Details
The teams traded punches in the first three minutes, setting the tone for a free-flowing match that saw 25 total shots on goal.  Younes Dayekh headed a corner kick wide, and shot high forcing a leaping punch, but it was Milwaukee who cashed in with Logan Farrington's finish.  Dayekh had a season high six shots on goal, including a laser at the end of the first half that just stayed too high.

"It is very difficult to get a result against quality teams like Milwaukee on the road when you go down 1-0 early," Phillips said.  "We had moments but Milwaukee was more dangerous throughout the match."

Milwaukee tested Andres Vasquez throughout the first half.  He tipped a corner kick over the bar, and made a diving save on a shot that was ripped to the right post.  Vasquez had a season high nine saves and had the crossbar to thank for a tenth.  Milwaukee's corner kick in the 64^th minute was shot off the bar, then collected and shot again for a save.

"He kept us in the game," Phillips said.  "He continues to grow in confidence."

Abdulwahab's goal sparked a game-ending run of possession that saw UIC unleash 10 shots with five going on goal.  "They go up 2-0, then like we did against Saint Louis, we turned on and started doing the things that are necessary to get results," Phillips reflected.  Josiah Ash got in deep in the 80^th minute for one of the Flames' two excellent tries at pulling level.  Gutierrez' would-be header was made possible after the Flames were awarded a free kick from just outside the box.  It deflected off the wall for the corner kick.

"Milwaukee, to their credit, was able to bend but not break as we carried the last 20 minutes, and they got the result.  We created some good chances, but our defense was not up to the task tonight."

Half of the Panthers' 22 shots went on goal, with both figures establishing season highs against the Flames' defense. 

"To get a result at Milwaukee, or anywhere in college soccer, we have to be more honest to the game," Phillips concluded.  "We weren't honest enough tonight for the entirety of the game, and when you do that, Milwaukee like the quality team that they are, took advantage."

The Flames will take on crosstown rival DePaul at Wish Field Wednesday afternoon.