Mere inches determined the fate of UIC's Missouri Valley quarterfinal match against Belmont.  A Bruins shot was seemingly saved by Andres Vasquez, but his hands were over the goal line when he caught the ball, and that lone tally turned into a 1-0 win for the visitors Sunday afternoon.

UIC had the majority of possession, and a 14-6 advantage in shots, but put only three on goal despite having a man advantage after a Belmont red card in the 54^th minute.  After the goal in the 16^th minute, the Flames allowed just one shot on goal the rest of the match.



Andres Moreno, making just his second start since September 20, figured in some early moments of attack.  After a couple of probes yielded no connection, he was able to find Manny Cerritos in position to take a shot that went wide.  Later, Paul Brauckmann muscled a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the 6.

Vasquez kept Belmont at bay with a punch-out of a corner kick and a running boot of a ball being advanced toward his net in the last seconds of the first half.  He was called upon to make just one save the remainder of the match in keeping the Flames within reach, trailing by just one.

Esteban Leiva was sent off in the 54^th minute.  He pooched the ball away as the Flames were setting up for a free kick near midfield to earn a yellow card.  Having already received a yellow during halftime, Belmont was without the services of an 11^th player for the duration.  Leading by a goal, they shifted their entire focus to playing defense and did not allow many clean connections in the box.

That is not to say that UIC did not have scoring chances.  Eduardo Garcia peppered a shot over the crossbar, but not by much.  Aaron Nguyen also pushed a try high, and in the 70^th minute Preston Huitron rolled a shot toward the open half of the net, but couldn't bring it inside the post.

The Flames' best chance came in the 83^rd minute when Paul Brauckmann had a shot saved amid considerable action deep in the box, and Josh Torres had a try saved as well in the ensuing chaos.  The two of them tied for game high honors with three shots apiece.

UIC concluded its inaugural season in the Valley with an overall record of 5-9-2.