DEKALB, Ill. – Emily Wauer set program records in shots (7) and shots on goal (6) Friday night as the UIC women's soccer team (0-0-1) took a 0-0 draw in its regular-season opener against Northern Illinois (0-0-1) at the NIU Soccer Complex. The Flames additionally reached a collective feat by matching the program record with 10 shots on goal.
 
"Tonight was a game where we battled for 110 minutes and it unfortunate that we did not come away with all three points," said head coach Brian Rigby. "We had very good ball movement and possession which allowed us to get into dangerous positions close to the goal. We had numerous opportunities to place the ball in the back of the net but came up short. Our performance was good and everyone who came into the game kept the level high. We are getting closer and will look to get it right Sunday."
 
Wauer shined for the Flames, taking nearly half of the team's 15 shots on the night with seven of her own and put six attempts on goal. Jasmin Carrera matched her career bests as she added four shots with three on goal, as Rebeca Pallo (2), Naomi Rushe and Kendall Wilde made up the rest of UIC's total.
 
Goalkeeper Annie DiCanio earned the first start of the season and the second of her career as she registered her first career complete-game shutout. She additionally made three saves in the game to match her career best.
 
Both teams were held without a shot in the first 20 minutes of play before Carrera fired off an attempt in the 21st minute that was saved.
 
The Flames put up a strong threat 15 minutes later when Pallo and Wauer had back-to-back shots that also resulted in saves. UIC was then set up with a corner kick which allowed Wauer another chance that was blocked. In the 40th minute, Wauer put up the final attempt of the half with the Flames' fourth shot on goal.
 
UIC came out striking in the second half, with Wauer putting a shot on goal three minutes in, and she followed it up with another attempt that was saved five minutes later. Carrera was presented an opportunity in the 60th minute that came as a save.
 
The Flames scattered three more shots before they came up in the final five minutes with the advantage and turned two corner kicks, allowing Carrera one attempt that was stopped.
 
The first overtime presented each team with one shot apiece, as NIU collected a shot on goal and Carrera sent an attempt for UIC wide.
 
Wauer continued to be the Flames' force in double overtime as she fired off two-consecutive shots on goal in the 106th minute over a span of 52 seconds. The Huskies took an attempt but sailed it high in the final minute.
 
The Flames return to the Windy City for their home opener on Sunday as they host Belmont at 1 p.m. CT at Flames Field.