NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The UIC men's soccer team steps back into Missouri Valley Conference play for the final four games of the 2026 regular season, starting at 6 p.m. (CT) Saturday when the Flames travel to Nashville, Tenn., to take on current MVC co-leader Belmont at E.S. Rose Park. The match will be televised live on ESPN+, with live stats available at UICFlames.com.

MATCH #12
UIC "Flames" (4-4-3, 1-0-1 MVC) at Belmont "Bruins" (6-4-2, 2-0-0 MVC)
When: Saturday, Oct. 17th  |  6 p.m. CT
Where: Nashville, Tenn.  |  E.S. Rose Park
Live Coverage: ESPN+  |  Live Stats

SERIES NOTES
UIC and Belmont will meet for the 13th time in series history, with the Flames holding a 9-2-1 advantage over the Bruins, including a 6-0-1 record when playing in Nashville and a 4-2-1 record since both schools joined the MVC prior to the 2022 season. UIC won both visits to E.S. Rose Park last season, taking a 2-1 decision in the regular season (Oct. 12, 2025) and a 1-0 victory in the MVC Tournament quarterfinals (Nov. 9, 2025).

LAST TIME OUT: SAINT XAVIER
Redshirt freshman forward AJ Sabanovic scored his first career goal off the first career assist from sophomore midfielder Aiden Montes less than three minutes into the second half and the UIC defense did the rest, posting a 1-0 non-conference victory over Saint Xavier on Oct. 10 at Flames Field. It was the third clean sheet of the season for UIC, with junior goalkeepers Joey Galante and Brandon Flores splitting time in the Flames' net and combining for three saves to secure the shutout.

UIC peppered the Cougars' goal all night long, finishing with an 18-5 edge in total shots, including a 10-3 margin in shots on goal, and a 6-2 advantage on corner kicks. However, it was a well-timed run by Montes down the right flank that created the decisive goal scoring opportunity, with Sabanovic meeting his cross at the near post and redirecting it past SXU goalkeeper Daniel Martinez at the 47:30 mark.

ON THE FRONT FOOT
During all 11 matches this season, UIC has had the upper hand for large portions of each contest, making its 4-4-3 record quite deceiving. In fact, the Flames have outshot their opponents by nearly a 2-to-1 margin (215-114), including similar spreads in shots on goal (98-52) and on corner kicks (84-45).

NCAA RANKINGS
UIC ranks second in the nation in both shots per match (19.55; NJIT is first at 20.38) and shots on goal per match (8.91; defending national champion Washington is first at 9.08), as well as third in corner kicks per match (7.64; Washington also leads at 8.38). Individually, Sebastian Khoury is fifth nationally in shot accuracy (.667) and seventh in shots on goal per match (MVC-leading 2.0).

A PRICELESS POINT
At No. 13 in the United Soccer Coaches poll coming into its Sept. 29 draw at UIC, Notre Dame was the highest-ranked opponent UIC tied or defeated since Sept. 6, 2014 (0-0 vs. No. 7 Michigan State). It was also the Flames' first result of any kind against a Top 25 team since Sept. 3, 2021 (2-2 double-overtime draw at No. 16 Saint Louis). In addition, UIC captured its second-ever point against a current Atlantic Coast Conference school and first since Sept. 13, 2009 (1-1 in double OT at Louisville in the UofL Invitational).

UP NEXT: EVANSVILLE
UIC is back home at Flames Field next Saturday, Oct. 24 for a 7 p.m. (CT) MVC contest against another of the current conference co-leaders (and defending Valley regular-season tri-champion) Evansville. The rematch from last year's MVC Tournament semifinals will be broadcast live on ESPN+, with live stats available on UICFlames.com, and it will serve as Pride Night at Flames Field, with fans receiving a special UIC Pride Night t-shirt.

FOLLOW THE FLAMES
Once again this season, UIC students, staff and youths in eighth grade and under are admitted to all home soccer matches free of charge, while adults and youths in ninth grade and above can purchase tickets for $5 each at the northwest (Morgan St.) or southeast (Granderson Stadium home plate) entrances to Flames Field on match day. Discounted tickets for groups of 10+ adults, are on sale for $3 each. In addition, fans can buy the Flames Fast Pass, a one-time $50 purchase that will provide the bearer with access to all UIC home athletics events (except men's and women's basketball) during the 2026-27 academic year.
 
For more information on UIC men's soccer, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_MSOC and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_msoc and @uicflames).

 
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