UIC saw its 2017 season come to an end in the first round of the NCAA tournament in a 4-1 loss to Wisconsin in Madison Thursday night.  The Flames conclude play with an 11-6-3 record.  Wisconsin (11-4-5) advances to play Notre Dame in the second round.

"First of all, congratulations to Wisconsin," head coach Sean Phillips said.  "They showed the characteristics of a Big Ten champion and they defended their home turf."  The Badgers had a 21 match home unbeaten streak until late in this season.

"When you get to tournament knockout play, you have to be efficient your chances.  Wisconsin was efficient tonight with their opportunities.  While I thought we were able to possess the ball very well at several times throughout the game, Wisconsin made it difficult for us to make the final play.  That was the difference tonight."

UIC will return the bulk of its scoring from this season, but will say goodbye to four seniors whose contributions on the field and in the locker room cannot be adequately measured on the stat sheet.

"The most difficult thing about this loss is that we won't get to coach these four seniors anymore.  Jose Fuentes was part of three championships in four years, and our other three seniors [Joel Leon, Abel Guzman, and Sasha Simon] were part of four championships in five years.  They helped bring back a culture within our program where winning and doing all the things necessary to win is the expectation.  I think the future is bright with the returners.  The staff can't wait to get back to work with these guys again."

Game Headlines

• Flames Control Pace Early: UIC had the first credible advances on goal.  A well placed free kick was played well by Badger keeper Philip Schilling, and shortly thereafter Lyes Ghezali worked free for a header that sailed over the crossbar.
• First Goal Goes to UIC: The Flames earned a free kick in the left flank in the 28^th minute.  Oscar Gonzalez sent it into the box, where Jacob Graiber worked behind some Wisconsin defenders and headed it past Schilling.

  

• Badgers Turned Away: Wisconsin gained momentum and began to test the Flames' defense.  The back line was up to the task when a Badger corner kick went near the six, and Sawyer Jackman made a clean save on a shot from an angle 15 yards out.
• Wisconsin Draws Level: A penalty against a retreating Badger forward put the home team on the spot in the 43^rd minute.  Tom Barlow sent the penalty kick opposite Jackman's dive to put Wisconsin on the board.
• Early Strike Puts Hosts Ahead: Eight minutes into the second half, Mike Catalano took a pass on the perimeter of the box.  He split two Flames defenders and beat Jackman, who was charging out to challenge, with a well-placed shot to the far post.
• Quality Finish Eludes Flames: Several attempts presented themselves to UIC as the Flames searched for an equalizer.  Max Todd and Jesus Perez each tested the keeper after the Flames worked the ball nicely in the final third.  A number of additional passes were sent across the box but could not find a teammate in position.
• Badgers Remove Doubt: Wisconsin made it 3-1 when an advance and a shot fake drew the attention of the last two men back as well as Jackman.  The ball was sent across the box to an open Mitch Guitar, who easily poked it into an empty net.  Their fourth goal was similarly scored, on a one-timer after Jackman was drawn to one edge of his goal.

Facts and Figures

• The Flames began with the same First XI that started the last five games.
• UIC scored first for the eighth time in their last nine matches (the ninth was a scoreless draw).
• When the Badgers scored their second goal, it marked the first time UIC had trailed in nine games.
• Wisconsin's four goals were the most the Flames allowed all season.  They had not given up more than two goals in a match entering play.
• It was also the first time UIC lost by more than two goals.
• The Flames took 16 shots to Wisconsin's nine, but both squads put seven attempts on goal.
• Graiber's goal was his third of the season.  He is one of seven Flames with multiple goals.
• UIC was unable to set the program record for consecutive matches without a loss.  Their streak of 12, marked by a 10-0-2 record, matched the mark set in 1999 (12-0-0) and tied in 2008 (8-0-4).
• Max Todd was often in the middle of the Flames' attempts to finish, as he took game highs of four shots and three on goal.
• The Flames fell to 6-7-3 all time in NCAA tournament play.