NCAA Men's Soccer - UIC Advances To Third Round
Nov. 25, 2008
EAST LANSING, Mich. - For the second consecutive match, UIC goalkeeper Jovan Bubonja made a diving save in a shootout to help the Flames advance farther in the NCAA Tournament. UIC advanced past Big Ten champion Michigan State, 3-2, in penalty kicks. UIC (12-3-6) advances to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
The contest is officially recorded as a tie. Michigan State, ranked No. 8 in last week's national polls, ends its season at 13-5-2.
After 110 minutes of scoreless soccer, Michigan State's Doug DeMartin, the Big Ten Player of the Year, led off the shootout by sending a shot off the crossbar. The teams traded results until Michigan State's fifth and final shooter approached with the shootout 2-2. MSU's Josh Rogers sent a shot to Bubonja's left, but the Flames keeper got a hand on it and the celebration was on.
UIC advanced to the second round after a 4-1 PK shootout over Dayton last Friday.
The contest ended with UIC owning a 12-8 shots advantage, including 7-4 on goal. Michigan State owned a 5-3 corner kick advantage.
Each team had one good scoring threat in the second overtime. In the 104th minute, Husidic had a breakaway and shot. Steinlage stopped it and brought to his chest after momentarily bobbling it. In the final 10 seconds of the second overtime, the Spartans had what may have been their best chance at a goal. DeMartin put sent a header
UIC controlled play for the majority of the first half, compiling a 5-1 shots advantage. The Flames had two great chances in the 19th minute, as Kevin Stoll had a shot in the middle of the box. Steinlage made a diving stop, pushing the ball to his right. Baggio Husidic fired the rebound, but Steinlage made another diving save.
Michigan State had a 6-1 shots advantage in the second half, but the Flames defense kept the shutout alive.
SHOOTOUT RESULTSMSU -DeMartin - Off Crossbar
UIC - Bubonja - GOOD
MSU - Ricondo - GOOD (1-1)
UIC - Sarachan - GOOD (2-1)
MSU - Pirrman - GOOD (2-2)
UIC - B. Husidic - Saved (2-2)
MSU - Scaffidi - Wide left (2-2)
UIC - Trout - GOOD (3-2)
MSU - Rogers - Saved (3-2 UIC advances)
