SCOUTING UIC
After starting the season on a four-match winless run, UIC (2-3-1) has responded with back-to-back shutout wins on its home field, dispatching Western Illinois, 2-0, and Loyola Chicago, 1-0.
Like Northwestern, a pair of Flames were recognized for their efforts in UIC’s two wins last week. Takeru Chiba was named the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Defensive Player of the Week after playing all 90 minutes in both shutout victories, while Owen Cornell piled up 10 saves across the two contests to earn the league’s Goalkeeper of the Week nod.
Martin Montoya has found himself at the forefront of the UIC attack in the season’s opening month. Montoya, who racked up seven goals and four assists over the last two seasons at Northern Illinois, has a team-high three goals to his name this season, a total highlighted by a brace in the Flames’ aforementioned blanking of Western Illinois on September 10. Preseason All-MVC pick Darrell Turcios is one of four other Flames to have notched a goal for veteran head coach Sean Phillips’ team. Carlos Nevarez leads the team in assists, having registered a pair of helpers across six appearances.
Cornell (1.17 GAA; 0.731 SV%), who recorded a career-high seven saves against the Ramblers, has been a mainstay in goal for UIC, starting all 21 of his appearances since arriving from Notre Dame ahead of the 2025 season.
SERIES STUFF
Saturday’s showdown on Chicago’s West Side will serve as the 31st installment of the rivalry between Northwestern and UIC. The Wildcats have prevailed in three of the last five meetings between the two local foes to trim the Flames’ lead in the all-time series to 15-13-2 (.533).
UIC snapped a four-match unbeaten run for the ‘Cats in the series last season, dealing Northwestern a 3-2 defeat at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
Northwestern will be in search of its second win at Flames Field in as many trips following a 1-0 win on September 2, 2024 that saw Peter Riesz net the night’s deciding goal in the 41st minute.
UP NEXT
Northwestern resumes Big Ten Conference play on Friday, September 25, when it welcomes Michigan to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium at 6:30 p.m. CT. The matchup against the Wolverines will serve as the program’s “Nuestros Colores” game in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
