NJIT Highlights at UIC | 8.24.23
CHICAGO–UIC scored three second-half goals as the Flames registered a 3-1 victory over visiting NJIT in the 2023 season opener for both teams Thursday night at Flames Field.
After a scoreless first half for both teams and a pair of early second half goals for each team, kept the match at 1-1. The Flames took control and scored two late goals to pull away and earn the season-opening victory.
The match was originally scheduled to start at 8pm (ET) but was pushed to a 9pm(ET) due record-breaking heat in the Chicago metropolitan area.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Enrique Mutsoli had an opportunity in the 15th minute on a header off a serve from the right side from Matt Moran which went high and over the crossbar.
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Maximus Barboto blasted a left-footed strike for the Highlanders staying just wide in the 23rd minute.
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Samuel Reisgys kept UIC off the board in the 32nd minute with a double punch out off a serve into the box.
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Hugo Tavares had back-to-back chances in the 40th and 42nd minute. In the 40th minute, Tavares carried the ball inside the box, beating three UIC players but his left-footed shot sailed over the crossbar and in the 42nd minute a second shot went high after receiving a serve inside the box.
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UIC broke a 0-0 tie 1:38 into the second half (47th minute) on a goal by Andres Lemus with a right-footed strike past a diving Highlander keeper.
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Eleven minutes later, Tavares scored the equalizer in the 59th minute, finding the back of the net on a second chance header to knot the match at 1-1. Barboto served the ball into the middle of the box where the initial header came from Joseph Davis as Tavares tucked away the Highlanders first goal of the match.
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UIC regained the lead in the 72nd minute on a goal by Sidney Warden on a right-footed strike into the top left corner for a 2-1 lead.
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The Flames increased its lead to 3-1 in the 76th minute on a goal by Jesus De Vicente after settling the ball inside the box and firing past the Highlander defense into the lower left corner.
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NJIT held a 9-3 overall shots advantage after the first 45 minutes and outshot the Flames 14-12 after the final whistle. UIC held a 7-4 shots on goals and edged the Highlanders 9-8 in corner kicks.
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Three Highlanders – Tavares, Mutsoli and Barboto each combined for three shots. Mutsoli added two shots on goal.
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Samuel Reisgys, the Highlanders keeper, stopped three Flame shots.
NOTEWORTHY
NEXT UP
NJIT will return to action on Sunday at 1:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (ET) at Northwestern. The match will be streamed live on B1G+.
