TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The 2017 season kicked off for UIC on Friday night as it was challenged with Indiana State at Memorial Stadium. While the offensive output was in favor of the Flames, it was the Sycamores who found the back of the net to take the 2-0 decision.
 
UIC registered 15 shots, matching last year's season-opening total against Northern Illinois, and put four on goal as the defense limited Indiana State to a mere six attempts. Five players made up the total as Olivia Everin and Keri Birkenhead turned out four shots apiece, followed by Tamae Douglas (3), Emily Valentine (2) and Christina Hovatter (2).
 
Kelly Fritz earned the start in goal and played the complete game while she went without a save.
 
It was a game of possession as either team was unable to create opportunities on the scoring front after 15 minutes of play. The Flames were able to execute a pair of chances from distance and followed it up with a header sent just over the crossbar from Douglas in the 22nd minute.
 
The Sycamores put up a counter as they were set up with a corner kick in the 30th minute that allowed Reilly Teal to take place in front of the net and jab the ball in the net to go up 1-0 on Indiana State's first and only shot attempt of the half.
 
With five minutes remaining until halftime, UIC picked up its attack and registered two shots at the foot of Hovatter as she had an attempt blocked and then saved after corralling off the goal post.
 
The Flames came out strong in the second half and held the upper hand in the first five minutes after targeting a pair of shots that were blocked and another from Birkenhead sent just wide on a clear look.
 
Into the 68th minute, Everin took a shot that forced a save before Birkenhead put up another look just off the mark. Despite control of possession being in UIC's favor, Indiana State made it 2-0 in the 71st minute with another goal from Teal off a breakaway.
 
In the final 10 minutes, four shots were taken by Everin, Douglas and Birkenhead, with the best chance coming with 96 seconds to play on a distance ball from Birkenhead that just missed the upper right corner.
 
The Flames look to bounce back as they return to Chicago for their home opener Sunday at Flames Field against Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m. CT.