Sept. 28, 2004

Chicago, Ill.- Chicago soccer takes center stage in the Horizon League this Wednesday, as the University of Illinois at Chicago soccer team travels north to Rogers Park to face city rival Loyola at Loyola Soccer Park.

Game time is 7:00 p.m.

The Flames (1-7-1, 0-1-1 Horizon League) face the Ramblers (1-6-1, 0-2-0 Horizon League) with both teams in search for their first conference victory.

UIC is fresh off a 1-1 tie with league foe Cleveland State this past Sunday. Eric Cervantes, one of the Flames' spark plugs on offense since his return two weeks ago, will lead an attack that put up 34 shots against the Vikings and 47 attempts this past week alone.

Cervantes has launched 18 shots in four games, averaging 4.50 per contest. The second-year forward scored his first goal of the season against Cleveland State.

The UIC defense has stepped it up as of late, especially when they are within the friendly confines of Illinois. The Flames have given up only one goal per game in their three in-state matches, including two games at Flames Field, after playing their six other contests much farther away from home.

The Ramblers lost a heartbreaking 2-1 match to Wright State on a late Raider penalty kick at Loyola Soccer Park last Friday.

Joe Nierzwicki leads Loyola with three goals.

UIC leads the all-time series against the Ramblers with an 11-6 edge. Last year Loyola came away with its first-ever victory at Flames Field in a 2-0 win.