CHICAGO – Vying for the program's first-ever spot in the postseason, the UIC women's soccer team (6-12-0, 4-4-0 HL) will host Oakland (3-13-1, 3-5-0 HL) in its regular season finale Friday at 7 p.m. CT at Flames Field.
 
Prior to the match, the Flames will honor their 11-member senior class made up of: Bekah Allen, Annie DiCanio, Olivia Everin, Kelly Fritz, Christina Hovatter, Haley Kittle, Samantha Messina, Jennifer Novak, Madison Pollard, Paige Proctor and Emily Wauer.
 
Last Time Out
UIC suffered an unfortunate 1-0 loss to Wright State on its home field last Saturday (Oct. 21) that ended a four-match conference win streak as well as an eight-match scoring streak. The Flames held the Raiders to just six shots while it attempted 15 of their own. In goal, Tara Khayam made two stops while the team aided with another.
 
Horizon League Standings
UIC currently sits in sixth place in the Horizon League standings with a 4-4-0 record. With the top six teams advancing to the Horizon League Tournament (Oct. 30 – Nov. 4), the Flames will need to defeat or tie the Golden Grizzlies in order to secure the program's first ever spot in the postseason.
 
Scouting the Flames
Despite having its scoring streak end, UIC has outscored opponents, 9-3, over the last five conference matches as it owns 20 total goals on the year. Tamae Douglas (4) leads the scoring effort followed by Emily Valentine (3) and the pair makes up five of the team's 11 tallies in league play. Everin has produced a team-high four assists with Valentine and Keri Birkenhead adding two apiece.
 
The Flames have continued to fire off shots as it ranks second in the conference standings with 243, 97 of which have been on goal. Everin (36) and Douglas (35) own the top marks and have combined for 29 shots on goal. The team has attempted 98 shots against league foes and put 34 of those on goal.
 
DiCanio has played a team-high 773 minutes this season and has made 35 saves en route to five wins and four shutouts. Khayam owns UIC's additional win after playing 490 minutes and making 29 saves. In conference play, DiCanio owns an impressive 0.82 goals-against-average and 3-1-0 record.
 
Scouting the Golden Grizzlies
Oakland is coming off a 2-1 victory over IUPUI that marked just its third win of the season. Its two additional victories came at the start of league play against Detroit Mercy and Youngstown State, both ending in 2-1 decisions.
 
The Golden Grizzlies have scored 12 goals this season with eight coming against conference foes. Five playes have each scored two goals as Vanessa Ogbonna owns a team-high six points with two goals and two assists. Oakland has taken 122 shots and put 53 on goal as Ogbonna (20) and Ali Amante (15) have the top figures and own a combined 15 shots on goal.
 
Goalkeeping duties have been split by Sophia Braun and Nadine Maher. While Maher holds 27 saves, two wins and a 2.09 GAA, Braun sits with 35 stops along with one shutout. Braun has made 15 saves in conference with Maher claiming 11.
 
All-Time Series
The Flames are seeking their first win in the all-time series with the Golden Grizzlies as they are 0-2-1. Last season, Oakland came out on the winning side of a 1-0 decision on its home field.