Oct. 9, 2005
Contact: Brian McCann
CLEVELAND, Ohio - UIC's Tonci Skroce scored the game-winning goal with 4:59 left in the second overtime to give the Flames a 2-1 victory over Cleveland State on Sunday afternoon at Krenzler Field.
Playing in frigid early fall conditions, the two teams played even through 90 minutes of regulation play and the first 15 minutes of overtime until the CSU defense committed its biggest mistake of the contest.
With the ball in the Viking defensive end of the field, CSU attempted to pass it back to goalkeeper Anthony DeMarco, but UIC's Pawel Ligas stole the pass, stepped past DeMarco and fed Skroce in the middle, who then scored into the empty net.
"I don't think that I could have asked for more than the guys gave me today," head coach Pete Curtis said. "In terms of commitment, overall level of play and determination, today's match was outstanding. We certainly didn't deserve to lose today and to do so in this fashion is heart-breaking.
"We need to be a little more decisive in the attacking third of the field."
After a scoreless first half, UIC opened the scoring in the 52nd minute when Nick Sutter scored his first goal of the season. Sutter had stolen a pass at midfield and fed PAvle Dundjer in the middle. After several dribbles, Dundjer passed back to Sutter on the right sider and Sutter blasted a shot from 15 yards out past DeMarco.
The Vikings came back and tied the contest in the 85th minute when Vincent Rosati redirected a Burke Schultz free kick past UIC goalie Jeff Engelbrecht and into the left corner of the goal.
"We didn't fold," Curtis said. "We continued to work at it and got our rewards with the goal with five minutes left. If we play at this level of play and application the rest of the year, then the wins are going to come."
The loss marred a strong effort in goal from DeMarco, who made nine saves while facing 19 shots.
The loss dropped the Vikings to 0-10-1 on the year and 0-4 in Horizon League play. UIC improved to 6-3-1 overall and 1-2 in league play.
The Vikings remain at home this week when they host IPFW on Tuesday (Oct. 11) beginning at 7:00 p.m.
