CHICAGO – A second half goal from Jesus Perez lifted UIC to a 2-1 victory over the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team on Tuesday night (Oct. 1) at Flames Field, snapping NIU's four-game win streak. Sophomore Anthony Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) scored the opening goal of the contest but UIC answered with one before halftime and Perez's winner in the 76th minute.

"I think there is frustration and disappointment on the night, but I think we played pretty well tonight and the guys know that," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "We will get over that disappointment and take the positives from the game."

UIC (8-2-0) started the brighter of the two teams and the early possession by the Flames led to the first chance as Perez forced NIU redshirt freshman goalkeeper Martin Sanchez (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) into a save down low to his left in the eighth minute.

The Huskies grabbed more control of the contest following the UIC chance and NIU had its first look at goal in the 11th minute on a diving header from sophomore Nick Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais), off a deflected cross from Anthony Markanich, was saved by UIC goalkeeper Sokratis Vasilas.

In the 18th minute, Anthony Markanich opened the scoring as he rose above everyone at the back post to power home a header off a deep cross from junior Carlos Valdez (Houston, Texas/Richland College) to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead. Anthony Markanich headed the ball back across goal, giving Vasilas no chance, as he scored his sixth career goal.

Six minutes before the interval, UIC leveled the match on a goal by Roberto Alonzo. A turnover in midfield was collected by Christian Crespo and played toward Alonzo who turned a Huskie defender and tucked a shot into the corner past Sanchez to bring the Flames even.

Crespo had a chance of his own a minute before halftime, but his curling effort went just wide as NIU and UIC went into the break tied.

After the break, UIC again made the quicker start as Eduardo Garcia cut in from the right and fired a shot that was stopped by Sanchez in the 49th minute.

NIU (4-5-1) came right back a minute later as sophomore Pierce Ugarte (Oak Lawn, Ill./Oak Lawn) played a ball from the back into the run of senior Jan Maertins (Rheinfelden, Germany/Marquette) who got in behind the UIC defense but Vasilas was able to make the save.

Ugarte was on the other of an opportunity from a set piece in the 54th minute as freshman Luis Hernandez (Mesquite, Texas/Lone Star) stood a free kick up to the back post where Ugarte headed it toward goal and Vasilas scrambled it away.

Hernandez was again the provider from a free kick seven minutes later as Maertins flicked a header off the crossbar as the game remained tied.

NIU nearly took advantage of a UIC turnover in the 69th minute as sophomore Adrian Corona's (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) shot was spilled by the Flames goalkeeper into the feet of a pair of Huskies, but they were ruled offside.

UIC went in front in the 76th minute as Perez used a bit of skill to slip away from a Huskie defender and slotted home a second goal for the Flames as UIC went in front, 2-1.

The Huskies went immediately back on the front-foot after the UIC goal as Nick Markanich had a chance from the corner kick in the 79th minute. Sophomore Louis Sala (West Bloomfield, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Mary's) whipped the corner into a dangerous position but Nick Markanich couldn't direct it on target.

Less than two minutes from time, senior Ethan Pitre (Minneapolis, Minn./Prairie Seeds Academy) moved past the UIC left back and was taken down on the edge of the box. The referee pointed to the penalty spot before changing his mind after consulting with the assistant referee. UIC cleared the ensuing free kick and hung on for the victory, extending the nation's longest home winning streak to 18 games.

Sanchez made seven saves in goal for the Huskies; Vasilas had five stops for the Flames.

NIU will return to action at home on Saturday night, October 5, as the Huskies host 10th-ranked Saint Mary's (CA). Kickoff against the Gaels is scheduled for 7 p.m.