Yet another city rival will visit Flames Field Tuesday, when DePaul comes south for a Chicago Derby match.  Having drawn with Loyola and defeated Chicago State, the Flames will look to finish undefeated against Chicago squads and start a new winning streak.
 
"I love these city rivalry games," Sean Phillips said.  "In addition to being a city rivalry, DePaul brings in a team that had late leads at Butler and Notre Dame, and a tie against a top-25 team.  They beat the defending Horizon League champions, so I expect this to be the best DePaul team that Coach Plotkin has had."

The Flames' two-match winning streak was snapped on Saturday in a 1-0 setback to Drake.  A penalty kick accounted for the only goal, and ensured that UIC would not post a fourth straight shutout.  Andres Vasquez has not allowed a goal from the run of play this year, and UIC's defense has continued to sharpen.

DePaul has faced three Top-25 teams and tied them all in building a 2-1-3 record.  Their six total goals have been scored by six different players.  Gandhi Cruz has saved 82% of the shots he has faced in compiling an 0.83 goals-against average and three shutouts.
 
"Between the quality they have, and the fact that it's a rivalry game played numerous times over the last several years, I'm expecting a high level college soccer game that's very competitive," Phillips observed.  He continued, "we have to continue to grow as a team.  This is another opportunity to do so.  I'm confident that our group will be up for the challenge.

The first 350 UIC students through the gates will receive a UIC Soccer scarf.  The match will start at 7 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN+.