Soccer team leaves Green Bay with 2-0 win

Freshman Jorge Alvarez scores his first goal as a Flame Saturday. Photo: Steve Woltmann

Freshman Jorge Alvarez scored his first collegiate career goal and senior Ivan Stanisavljevic scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season Saturday in the soccer team’s 2-0 win at Green Bay.

The win marked UIC’s first victory at Green Bay since 2005.

With the victory, UIC improved to 7-5-2 on the season (3-1-1 Horizon League).

Piotr Kikolski played all 90 minutes, preserving his third shutout of the season.

“Green Bay made it very difficult, especially in the first half, for us to play a complete 90 minutes,” head coach Sean Phillips said. “While I felt the goal we had was very deserved in the first half, we were fortunate not to concede in that half.

“The second half saw a more disciplined defensive performance.”

Alvarez scored a goal in the 35th minute after helping create a corner kick that Stanisavljevic served to Ned Pavlovic at the near post. Pavlovic slipped the ball to Alvarez, who finished to the back post.

Stanisavljevic scored in the 71st minute from about 45 yards out on an assist from senior Isai Lemus. Stanisavljevic (19) enters the final two games of the league slate trailing only Detroit’s Adam Bedell (21) in total points.

UIC will play its regular season road finale at 6 p.m. Saturday, traveling to Cleveland State.

Flames give back to community
The Flames helped dedicate a new soccer field Oct. 11 at Haas Park in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood as part of the “City Soccer in the Community” initiative.

Head coach Sean Phillips and the team helped out with a soccer clinic in the park in March that was organized to show the need for a new field.

“In just two weeks’ notice, we ended up having an insane turnout (at the clinic), and once I saw what was going on, I realized that we needed extra help,” said Anthony Porfirio, president of the Haas Park Advisory Council. “UIC’s program was first to step up.

“Coach Phillips has already offered his help whenever we may need it. He’s also toyed with the idea of having a few UIC practices out at the field, so kids can actually see high-level soccer right in their backyard. It’s an unbelievable reflection on his program and their commitment to give back to the community.”