2008 Woodie Awards
Historic night ends in a draw
Despite offensive onslaught, Flames pull stalemate against Intercity Demons
John-Paul Paonessa
Issue date: 9/4/06 Section: Sports
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Media Credit: Rob FreemanDefender Mike Giffin shields the ball away from an attacking Blue Demon. The Flames dominated possession and shots-on-goal despite not scoring.
Over 800 spectators witnessed history last Wednesday night when the UIC Soccer team (1-0-1) faced cross-town rival, DePaul (1-1-1).
Miranda Ambuske, a junior at UIC, set the stage with the National Anthem as August 30, 2006 marked the first ever UIC night-game played on Flames Field and the home opener of the 2006 campaign.
"The first game in UIC history under the lights is exciting for UIC Athletes and supporters. The new environment is a natural progression for soccer and building something special," said Jim Schmidt, Director of Athletics.
The festivities kicked off with a cook-out sponsored by the UIC Athletic Department, which grilled up free hotdogs and snacks for students. The total student count for the night: 265; an outstanding show of support by the students.
Luckily, the field's illumination from above shed light on the game. Behind a 15-0 shot differential in favor of the Flames, DePaul's defense held tight. Against the wishes of the largest UIC crowd in recent history, the game would eventually finish in a 0-0 draw.
"That's as dominating a performance as I would imagine in a local derby, because that is what it comes down to, it's a local Chicago derby," said Head Coach John Trask. "That is a completely dominant performance, and I just feel sorry for the fans because they deserve better."
It seemed inevitable throughout the game that it would be only a matter of time before the Flames would score. Chance after chance, the home team would come up just short of finding the back of the net. Even three seemingly consecutive shots within the last 20 minutes of regulation left the Flames in wonder. A superbly executed crossover in the nineteenth minute by Baggio Husidic whizzed just inches left of the goal.
In the seventeenth minute, a textbook header from Brodey Simkins added to DePaul's luck. And what seemed to be the Flames' final stab at the Blue Demons came in the fourth minute when Pawel Otachel planted a powerful shot past the DePaul keeper. However, the ball would find itself in the goal's outside netting. Cesar Zambrano and Pavle Dundjer added the majority of shots throughout the first 90 minutes.
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Miranda Ambuske, a junior at UIC, set the stage with the National Anthem as August 30, 2006 marked the first ever UIC night-game played on Flames Field and the home opener of the 2006 campaign.
"The first game in UIC history under the lights is exciting for UIC Athletes and supporters. The new environment is a natural progression for soccer and building something special," said Jim Schmidt, Director of Athletics.
The festivities kicked off with a cook-out sponsored by the UIC Athletic Department, which grilled up free hotdogs and snacks for students. The total student count for the night: 265; an outstanding show of support by the students.
Luckily, the field's illumination from above shed light on the game. Behind a 15-0 shot differential in favor of the Flames, DePaul's defense held tight. Against the wishes of the largest UIC crowd in recent history, the game would eventually finish in a 0-0 draw.
"That's as dominating a performance as I would imagine in a local derby, because that is what it comes down to, it's a local Chicago derby," said Head Coach John Trask. "That is a completely dominant performance, and I just feel sorry for the fans because they deserve better."
It seemed inevitable throughout the game that it would be only a matter of time before the Flames would score. Chance after chance, the home team would come up just short of finding the back of the net. Even three seemingly consecutive shots within the last 20 minutes of regulation left the Flames in wonder. A superbly executed crossover in the nineteenth minute by Baggio Husidic whizzed just inches left of the goal.
In the seventeenth minute, a textbook header from Brodey Simkins added to DePaul's luck. And what seemed to be the Flames' final stab at the Blue Demons came in the fourth minute when Pawel Otachel planted a powerful shot past the DePaul keeper. However, the ball would find itself in the goal's outside netting. Cesar Zambrano and Pavle Dundjer added the majority of shots throughout the first 90 minutes.
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