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19 MEN'S SOCCER The Flames won the Horizon League Tournament Championship for the fourth time in program history and first time since 2007. Following a first-round bye, they took a 2-1 overtime win in the semifinals against Milwaukee and then a 1-0 victory over #1 Wright State in the title match. The team got there after overcoming a 1-5-1 start to the season to finish with eight wins and two draws in their final 13 regular-season matches. UIC competed in the NCAA tournament for the sixth time, and first since 2008. Its first round match against Loyola was a spirited affair in front of a pro-UIC crowd at Loyola's home field. Though the nationally-ranked #17/15 Ramblers advanced, the Flames outshot Loyola and played them even for most of the match. Of the 20 combined shots, 12 were credited to the Flames with Jose Fuentes and Oscar Gonzalez paving the way on three attempts apiece. PUTNA REIGNS AS TOP KEEPER Andrew Putna earned Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year honors for the second time in his career. With seven shutouts, he made 49 saves and allowed 25 goals for a 1.32 goals-against-average, while he secured a mark of 0.97 in league play with 17 saves and five clean sheets. He graduated as UIC's second all-time leader in wins (41) and shutouts (30), third in goals- against-average (1.05) and fifth in saves (214). Putna was drafted by Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake. Throughout the 2016 campaign, the Flames stood as one of the top teams in the Horizon League with their play on both ends of the field. They put up the most shots in nine seasons with 327 and had 113 on goal as they scored 26 goals and added 23 assists. UIC secured seven shutouts for the second-straight season as opponents were kept to 209 attempts, with nine opponents held to eight or less shots, and scored just 12 goals in the final 10 games. At least half of the Flames' offensive production came against conference foes with 179 shots, 52 on goal, 13 goals and 12 assists. The Flames placed three members on the All-Horizon League First Team: Andrew Putna, Jose Fuentes and Max Todd. Additionally, Alex Cervantes and Cristian Sanchez were named to the All-Freshman Team.