CHICAGO – Keri Birkenhead achieved a feat no other freshman or Flame had ever done when she scored three goals for a hat trick Friday night at Flames Field. UIC went on to defeat Eastern Illinois, 4-1, marking the program's first-ever exhibition win.
 
A notable accomplishment in and of itself, Birkenhead scored all three goals in the second half and in a span of just under five and a half minutes. Olivia Everin notched the first goal of the game a mere four minutes into play. Of the four Flames goals scored, Tamae Douglas, Bekah Allen and Everin all added assists.
 
UIC won the shot battle, 16-8, and had nine of its attempts come on goal. With Birkenhead reaching a team-best five shots with four on goal, Haley Kittle (3), Everin (2) and Allen (2) also had multi-shot efforts.
 
The Panthers' lone goal came on just their first shot of the game in the 20th minute when Emma Scaro took to ball from the top of the box and sent it straight in.
 
The Flames will now begin preparations for the regular season, which is set to get underway next Friday (Aug. 18) on the road at Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind., at 6 p.m. CT.