UIC netted three goals in its highest offensive output of the year, and shut out Bradley 3-0 at Flames Field Saturday night.

The Flames dominated possession, momentum, and chances, outshooting the guests 24-8 and putting eight shots on goal.  Eduardo Garcia took a career high seven shots to lead everyone, and had a game-high three on goal.  Josh Torres, who entered the game at halftime, took five shots and scored his second goal of the season.


 
Scoring Summary

• The Flames got on the board in the 41^st minute.  After taking possession deep in Bradley's zone, Ezau Millan threaded a pass to Andres Lemus running toward the goal.  Lemus redirected the ball perfectly, getting it past the keeper at the left post.
• Just 90 seconds into the second half, Torres found the ball on his foot after a corner kick was played in the box.  He immediately rifled a shot high on goal, tucking it under the crossbar.
• Ricardo Avalos scored his first goal as a Flame in the 89^th minute.  Christian Crespo found him roaming on the right side of the box, and he made a move further toward goal and knocked a shot off the crossbar, down, and in.

UIC took control of the match from the opening kick, and rarely allowed Bradley to build an attack.  Eddie Garcia, for one, was in the middle of many dangerous moments early in the match.  He took four shots in the first 11 minutes.  After that, Ezau Millan had the team's most threatening chance to date when he let fly a rocket on goal that required a leaping save.

As the first half progressed, the Flames had several occasions to work on their corner kicks.  Manny Cerritos headed one just over the crossbar, and Crespo had a run on net that was only barely disrupted, leading to two more corner kicks.  UIC had nine chances from the corner in the first half alone, and a season high 11 overall.

The Flames scored two goals in less than six minutes of game time.  After going up 2-0, they had to defend an urgent Bradley squad, with Andres Vasquez punching a ball out on a dangerous free kick.  But then, Torres made more things happen in the final third.  He had consecutive shots after retrieving the saved ball off his first, and later got free of everyone and had an open run on the box.  Torres finished with season highs of five shots and two on goal, in just 26 minutes.

For his part, Vasquez was efficient in posting his fourth shutout of the season.  He was required to make just two saves in the match, with the second one in the 86^th minute snuffing out any chance the Braves had to get on the board.

The Flames earned their first win in Missouri Valley play.  The team will play just one match in each of the next three weeks, starting next Saturday at Belmont.