CHICAGO - Western Illinois soccer dropped the final game of the 2012 Chicago South Loop Hotel UIC Soccer Classic to the host school, UIC, by a 1-0 score at Flames Field on Saturday.
The Leathernecks fall to 2-4-1 overall heading into Summit League play, while the Flames improve to 2-4-1.
Senior defender Hilary Esangbedo and sophomore keeper Yves Dietrich were named to the all-tournament team.
Esangbedo served as the anchor of a steady defense that allowed just one goal in two games. Dietrich saved eight of the nine shots he faced, including a trio of diving saves that kept the Leathernecks in the game both against UIC and against Wisconsin on Friday.
In the 22nd minute, UIC's Phil Galounis drilled a shot from 28 yards out, which bounced off the inside of the left post and into the goal, with Alexios Fronimos tallying the assist.
The Leathernecks received shots on goal from Drew Edmond and Aaron Winkelmann, but struggled to pose many serious threats on keeper Piotr Kikolski (two saves, shutout) and the Flames defense.
"The guys that came off the bench gave us a lot of life and energy; I was really pleased because that's the best they've done off the bench," head coach Dr. Eric Johnson said. "They closed the gap a little bit and we got the ball and held it for longer periods of time."
Western Illinois opens up Summit League play on Saturday, Sept. 22, when the squad hosts Omaha at John MacKenzie Alumni Field at 1 p.m.
"[I feel] way better [heading into conference play today] than I did after the Marquette game," Johnson added. "Omaha's a good team; they're young, but pretty technical. We're going to have our hands full but we need to protect our home field."
