Oct. 8, 2014
Final Stats
CHICAGO - The UIC women's soccer team (2-11-0, 0-3-0 HL) dropped a closely contested match against first place Valparaiso (7-1-4, 3-0-0 HL) on Wednesday night by a final score of 2-1 at Flames Field. The score was tied 1-1 at half, but the Crusaders netted the game-winner with less than 17 minutes left to play. UIC keeper Kelly Fritz collected a career-high 16 saves on the night as the Crusaders totaled 18 shots on goal.
"Despite the result I was pleased with how we competed against the league's best tonight," said head coach Brian Rigby. "Fritz did an incredible job between the posts and made several clutch saves. Our squad continues to improve in every game we play."
Valparaiso struck first in the 26th minute with an unassisted score by sophomore April Cronin. She dribbled around three UIC defenders at the top of the 18-yard box for her fourth score of the season.
The Flames answered six minutes later at the 31:15 mark with a goal from freshman Mackenzie Fuller. The Aurora, Ill., native found the top right corner of the net from 35 yards out off a free kick, securing her second goal of the year and knotting the score at 1-1 before the break. The goal was Valparaiso's sixth score allowed this season.
Fritz made 10 saves in the first half as Valpo out-shot the Flames, 11-3. Combined with her six saves in the final period, Fritz now has 70 stops on the year to lead the Horizon League.
Crusader junior Rita Craven scored the difference maker in the 74th minute on an unassisted strike from 12 yards out, her fifth of the season.
UIC will be back in action on Saturday at Oakland with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
Stay tuned to UICFlames.com for all of the latest news and results for women's soccer and be sure to follow the team on Twitter at @UICWomensSoccer.
