CHICAGO – It was quite the entertaining night for UIC on Senior Day as it went back and forth with Youngstown State before the match was decided in double overtime with the Flames pulling off the 3-2 victory at Flames Field.
 
Naomi Rushe, Rebeca Pallo and Tamae Douglas all scored for UIC with Douglas clinching the game-winner. Emily Valentine, Pallo, Emily Kavanaugh and Megan Bowman all added assists.
 
The Flames executed a season high in shots with 27, surpassing the previous mark of 19 set against UMKC (Aug. 24). Another top mark was set in shots on goal with 10 hitting the mark. Pallo and Bowman led the squad with five attempts apiece, followed by Valentine (4) and Keri Birkenhead (3). Rushe, Pallo and Keri Birkenhead each had two shots on goal to add to the total.
 
Tara Khayam picked up her first win of the year in the complete game. She made one save as the Penguins were limited to just six shots.
 
UIC goes to 3-12-1 on the year and collects its second win in conference action for a 2-4-0 mark. Youngstown State falls to 1-11-3, 0-5-1 HL.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was all UIC from the start and it did not take long for the effort to pay off as the Flames claimed the 1-0 lead in the ninth minute on their fourth shot. Pallo fed the ball along the left side to Valentine, who then sent in a cross to Rushe to complete the finish on the opposite side of the net.
• UIC had seven more shots the remainder of the first half with Birkenhead and Kennedy Messina getting off attempts that were saved with under five minutes remaining. On the opposite side of the field, the defense did not allow a single shot in the half for the first time this season.
• The Penguins attempted their first shot of the game in the 50th minute and sent it wide while the Flames took the preceding three attempts. However, in the 54th minute, Lauren Dolak took the ball along the right side for YSU and let off a shot that hooked into the top of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
• The lead went back to UIC just two minutes later as a hand ball was called right outside the 18 yard box. Pallo stepped up to take the free kick and hooked it behind the defensive wall and into the net for the 2-1 advantage.
• The Flames continued to control the run of the game, attempting seven more shots with four on goal, but a run made by Youngstown State in the 79th minute tied the game again at 2-2 as Sydney Ossege took a pass from Luca Fahmer and chipped the ball as Khayam was coming out to make a play and had it go in the goal. The remainder of regulation did not allow a shot for either side.
• The first overtime presented just one attempt at a goal and it came from UIC just 38 seconds in with Valentine sending the attempt high.
• A mere 56 seconds into double overtime in the 101st minute, Bowman knocked the ball to Kavanaugh then found an open Douglas, who put the ball away into the opposite corner for the golden goal.

 
NOTABLES

• On a night where the Flames honored their seniors, the group of four made the starting rotation as it was the 13th different combination used this season.
• UIC's three goals were the most scored by the team this season. Rushe and Pallo put their firsts of the year away while Douglas' came as her third and second game-winner.
• Bowman's five shots marked a career high while Pallo's matched her season high set back against Indiana State (Aug. 29).

 
NEXT UP

• UIC will remain at home and host a midweek match with Green Bay on Wednesday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT at Flames Field.