FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The UIC women's soccer team (1-4-2) was limited to a mere two shots as it was defeated, 1-0, by Northern Arizona (2-4-0) during the opening day of competition at the NAU Mountain Classic at Lumberjack Stadium.
 
For the second-consecutive game and third time this season, the Flames were held to a single-digit shot total with a season-low two attempts, with the efforts being taken by Olivia Everin and Rebeca Pallo. The Lumberjacks connected with 17 shots and put eight on goal.
 
Kelly Fritz earned her second start of the season in goal and kept UIC within reach throughout the game as she came up with seven saves, the most for the junior since she made 10 against Green Bay last season.
 
The Flames could not find the connecting passes it needed from the start of the game as NAU came up with a majority of the possession and threatened on several occasions inside the 18, firing off seven-consecutive shots in the first half after the Flames put a shot on goal in the opening 35 seconds by Everin.
 
Fritz came up with a big time save in the 14th minute when the ball tipped off her glove and deflected out of play off the crossbar. It was a repeat occurrence in the 20th minute, with Fritz coming out to make the stop and having it hit the crossbar.
 
Pallo was positioned with a great look at the goal in the 35th minute but she hooked it just high. NAU responded with a shot sent high of its own before getting off the final shot of the half with six minutes remaining and forcing Fritz to make the save.
 
UIC did a better job at holding off the attack of the Lumberjacks to open the second half, but still had trouble with putting together its offense as it went without a shot the remainder of the game. After putting two shots off target and another on goal, NAU received a look at the net but sent its chance high in the 66th minute.
 
In the 73rd minute, the Lumberjacks were positioned with a corner kick that was sent in by Heather Donais and connected with the head of Adrian Nixt, who put it into the upper right corner of the net for the 1-0 lead. They would get two more shots in the match, with Fritz making a point-blank save.
 
The Flames return to Lumberjack Stadium on Sunday to close out play at the NAU Mountain Classic with a 1 p.m. CT kickoff against Grand Canyon.