Flames Battle Memphis to 1-1 Draw in Madison

September 11, 2011

MADISON, Wis. - Senior forward Eric Frazierscored his team-leading fourth goal of the season, as the UIC men's soccer team remained unbeaten on the season with a 1-1 tie versus undefeated Memphis Friday evening at the McClimon Complex in Madison, Wis.

With the draw, the Flames moved to 2-0-2 on the season. Memphis is now 3-0-1 heading into Sunday's match against host Wisconsin.

Frazier's tally came in the 18th minute, when he played a ball at the top of the 18-yard box from junior Ivan Stanisavljevic, beating Memphis goalkeeper Conor Hurley. It marked Stanisavljevic's first assist on the season, while Frazier scored his fourth goal in the past three contests.

The Flames led for the ensuing 70:06, before Memphis' Austin Gross scored his first goal of the season in the 88th minute, just two minutes before the end of regulation. He put the ball in the back of the net after a rebound off the post.

"We certainly didn't play our best tonight, and Memphis has to be credited for that - they didn't let us attack the way we have the past couple of games, and disrupted a lot of our offense," said head coach Sean Phillips. "I think it says a lot about our team though; when we didn't play our best, we led for the majority of the game, and were able to come out with a tie against a very good Memphis team. It wasn't until the final 15-20 minutes of the game that their (Memphis') pressure turned into chances, but you have to give them credit - they earned the tie."

Phillips continues to be pleased with Frazier's continued fitness and knack for putting the ball in the back of the net.

"The biggest thing with Eric (Frazier) is that he's very fit, and has really turned into an opportunistic frontrunner," Phillips said. "He's been good for at least a few dangerous chances in each game we've played, and that is due to his increased fitness and focus."

Memphis held a 13-6 advantage in the shots department, and had four shots on goal. UIC goalkeeper Piotr Kikolski made three saves - he has played all four games in their entirety for the Flames this season. Frazier attempted a team-high three shots, while Stanisavljevic, Jesus Torres and Ekerin Agboola all took one shot.

UIC will return to the confines of Flames Field Sunday (Sept. 11), when the Flames host No. 10 UC Irvine beginning at 2 p.m. CST. The Anteaters will take on host Wisconsin beginning at 7:30 p.m. CST Friday from the McClimon Complex.

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