UIC falls to Notre Dame, elements in second round of NCAA Men's Soccer Championship

Nov. 16, 2006

Notre Dame 1, UIC 0
Notre Dame, Ind.- A valiant effort was not enough for the UIC men's soccer team as the Flames saw their outstanding 2006 campaign come to an end after a 1-0 defeat at the hands of 12th-seeded Notre Dame at a rain-soaked Alumni Field.

UIC capped the year at 13-3-5, tying a school record for fewest losses in a season. The Irish (14-5-2) move on to face defending national champion Maryland in the Sweet 16 this weekend.

In front of a crowd dominated by vocal Flames fans who made the two-hour trek to South Bend, UIC went on the attack early. In the fourth minute Baggio Husidic launched a rocket shot that took a hard bounce off the crossbar and banged off the left post. Eric Cervantes and Pavle Dundjer would follow with quality attempts of their own, while Husidic boomed another strong shot that barely missed wide left.

The two teams would trade attacks throughout the first period before Notre Dame struck with 1:47 remaining in the half. Bright Dike sped up the right side of the field and found Joseph Lapira running toward goal. Lapira then escaped a sliding UIC back and slipped a shot past Jovan Bubonja to score his NCAA-leading 21st goal and put the Irish up 1-0.

UIC continued to pressure the Irish defense throughout the second period, but the Flames were unable to find the equalizer in the final 45 minutes. Bubonja made a career-best eight saves on the night.

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