The Basics
Final Score: UIC 3, Detroit Mercy 0
Records: Detroit Mercy 1-7 (0-3 HL), UIC 7-2 (3-0 HL)
Location: Chicago, Ill. (Flames Field)
CHICAGO (9/22/2018) -- Playing in its seventh road match out of eight to open the 2018 season, the University of Detroit Mercy men's soccer team fell 3-0 to host UIC in Chicago on Saturday night. It was the third Horizon League match of the season for both squads.
It was a physical match throughout between the two Horizon League foes with 28 fouls called and eight cards issued, including two red cards. UIC received the first red card just five minutes into the match. Detroit Mercy held the shot advantage in the match, 17-8, including putting nine shots on goal, but were unable to find the back of the net.
The Flames took an early 2-0 lead on goals in the 19th and 22nd minutes, both scored by Markell Saddler. That margin would stand at the halftime break.
Detroit Mercy had several good-looking opportunities in the second half, including
Justin Murray's bicycle kick that sailed just high of the crossbar in the 60th minute. Murray's bicycle kick attempt came just after senior defender
Grant Harrison fired a shot on net. Murray, junior forward
James Solomon and redshirt freshman
Trevor Deon each added shots on goal in the next 13 minutes, but Detroit Mercy was unable to score.
UIC would add an insurance goal in the 83rd minute.
Murray and sophomore forward
Jake Poorman led the team with three shots each with both players recording two shots on goal. Sophomore
Demetri Pliakos and Solomon and junior forward
Jake Reitzloff both added two shots for the Titans.
The Flames held a 7-5 edge in corner kicks. UIC made nine saves in the contest.
It was just the second defeat in 10 meetings with UIC under head coach Nicholas Deren '99. Detroit Mercy is 6-2-2 all-time under Deren against the Flames. It was UIC's first victory over the Titans since the 2013 season.
Up Next
Detroit Mercy returns to play Wednesday afternoon in a non-conference match at Western Michigan in Kalamazoo. First kick in the contest is set for 4 p.m. from WMU Soccer Complex.
