Oct. 2, 2008

Box Score

Box Score vs. UIC (PDF)

MILWAUKEE -- UIC (8-0-2) remained undefeated by picking up a decisive goal in the 85th minute Thursday at Valley Fields to defeat a short-handed Marquette (2-4-3) squad, 1-0. Ranked as high as sixth in the national polls, the visiting Flames ended MU's five-match non-conference unbeaten streak in the process

"We knew this would be a difficult game," said head coach Louis Bennett. "But they didn't really have that many clear cut chances. It wasn't a very attractive game, and we came up short. Because we were ragged, nothing really flowed today."

Moriba Diallo came off of the UIC bench to net his first collegiate goal and game-winner Thursday. Diallo scooped up a loose ball near the left corner of the box and chipped it from 20 yards out far post, over the outstretched arms of Marquette goalkeeper Matt Pyzdrowski.

"It was a ball that I thought we were going to clear," said Pyzdrowski. "There were a couple of guys in the back who just didn't get the right foot on it and I was ready to push everyone out to step. I was off my line, unfortunately, a little too much and the striker caught me."

While UIC's scoring offense statistically ranks third in NCAA Division I, it was the Flames' defense that quieted MU's attack in the second half. Although UIC produced 11 shots -- three on target -- the Golden Eagles meanwhile managed just three shots in the first half and none in the final 48 minutes.

"We're just having a little bit of trouble getting that last bit of cleanness up top with our play, and also finishing off on the opportunities that we do get," said forward Nick Kay. "We had a couple of nice little build-ups in the first half that I thought maybe we could have done a little bit better getting a shot on goal or make the chance a little bit better. It's something that we're obviously working toward."

Marquette's lone shot on goal was a 30-yard rocket by Mike Greene toward the upper-left post, but deflected by UIC keeper Jovan Bubonja, in the 26th minute

After sitting out the team's last match due to a previous red card, Greene's evening would come to an early ending on Thursday as well. He was sent off after being cited for his second caution, thus earning the automatic red card, for a hard tackle in the 76th minute.

The infraction sparked a confrontation between players near midfield and UIC's Charlie Trout was also given a yellow. Both benches were also warned by the referee.

"I was very unhappy with losing another player," Bennett said. "We're not a dirty team. We're not a team that is overly physcial. For Michael, it was an unfortunate error. He felt like he could get to the ball. He got there very late and went there two-footed, which is illegal."

Marquette was then forced to play the remainder of the contest a man down for the third time this season. Already without the team's leading scorer, Anthony Colaizzi was sidelined for his second consecutive game Thursday as the result of his second red card of the season last Friday at Louisville

UIC is currently ranked ninth in the NSCAA/adidas Coaches Poll and sixth, according to Soccer America. The Flames are the third top-ten team Marquette has seen in the first nine games this season.

"We want to get victories, at worst draws, and get some kind of points," said Pyzdrowski. "We're still a youthful team and still have a bunch of guys that are still learning their roles. It will come with time. You see we're making progress, now we just have to make that next step."

MU will get back to BIG EAST action this Sunday, Oct. 5, when the team travels to Pittsburgh for a noon kickoff.