Lynch's Late Header Lifts 'Cats Over UIC, 1-0

9/20/2017 9:43:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern prevailed, 1-0, over UIC Wednesday night in a hard-fought match at Martin Stadium. Sophomore midfielder Sean Lynch headed home the game-winner in the 87^th minute on a free kick sent in by Camden Buescher.

The #B1GCats take a 1-0 victory over UIC. Catch what head coach @Tim_Lenahan had to say about it. https://t.co/UXzvv9MuNb
— Northwestern MSoccer (@NUMensSoccer) September 21, 2017

The victory gives the 'Cats a 2-6-0 mark on the season, while the Flames drop to 1-5-1.

A total of 33 fouls were called, including 21 on the visitors, as the contest proved to be a physical battle throughout. NU tallied nine corners while UIC took three, and each team finished with five shots on goal.

The hosts were nearly off the mark in the first minute of the match, when forward Elo Ozumba had a shot saved by Flames' goalkeeper Sokratis Vasilas after 40 seconds. Another scoring chance came in the 13th minute when John Moderwell struck a volley from the edge of the box that was blocked before it could reach the net.

A foul by the visitors seven minutes later gave Chicago's Big Ten Team a free kick in a dangerous position. Senior midfielder Mattias Tomasino stepped up, and his curling effort rattled the crossbar.

UIC picked up the pace in the remainder of the half, getting off three shots and forcing a save from Robbie White. The Northwestern goalkeeper has now recorded shutouts in both of his career starts.

The match continued to be a defensive battle for the majority of the second half. Two more saves by White, both on efforts from Oscar Gonzalez, were the only shots on goal in the first half hour of the period.

The 'Cats finally broke into the opponent's box with just eight minutes remaining, but Tomasino's close-range attempt was saved well. Ozumba had another look shortly after, but couldn't beat Vasilas from 20 yards out.

With just over three minutes remaining in the contest, a foul on the left side of the box gave the Wildcats another dangerous opportunity. Buescher whipped a cross towards goal, and Lynch rose to meet it, nodding the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper and into the net.

The game-winner was the first goal of Lynch's career, and gives him three points on the season. Buescher recorded his seventh career assist and second of the current campaign.

In the final minute of the match, UIC threatened to equalize with a driven cross into the box. A glancing header from Jesus Perez headed towards the bottom corner, but a diving save from White pushed the ball out of bounds and preserved the win.

Northwestern will be back in action on Sunday when it travels to Michigan to face the Wolverines at 11 a.m. CT. The match will be televised nationally on Big Ten Network.