ROCHESTER, Mich. – After having to wait nearly seven hours for kickoff due to storms in the area, UIC finally went to battle Saturday night with Oakland but could not convert on its effort as it dropped a 1-0 decision at the Oakland Soccer Field.
 
The Flames were allotted just five shots in the match. The attempts were taken by Jennifer Saviski, Rebeca Pallo, Tamae Douglas, Kennedy Messina and Keri Birkenhead, with Pallo, Messina and Birkenhead putting their chances on goal.
 
Tara Khayam was faced with just five shots by the Golden Grizzlies and came up with one save in her eighth complete game of the season as the result was her second Horizon League loss of the year.
 
UIC goes to 4-13-1 overall and 3-5-0 in conference play with one game remaining. Oakland is now 2-11-3 and 2-3-3 in the Horizon League.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first half of play presented limited opportunities for the Flames as they were held to just two shots, one sent wide by Saviski and another from Pallo that was saved.
• On the opposing side, the Golden Grizzlies attempted five shots and converted on their last one as Sierra Grodsinsky had her first shot blocked but found the rebound and put it in the goal with less than 30 seconds remaining until halftim for the 1-0 lead.
• Even in the second half, the chances came at a minimum with a mere three being taken between both teams and all belonging to UIC. After a header from Douglas was sent wide, the next shot came nearly 20 minutes later when Messina was stopped. The last counted shot of the match came in the 83rd minute with a look from Birkenhead being saved.

 
NOTABLES

• For the third straight match, the Flames went with the same group of starters. The team has used 13 different combinations throughout the season but had never kept the same lineup for more than two matches.
• UIC's five shots were the fewest for the team since being held to three at Cleveland State (Sept. 29). Alternatively, Oakland became the third Horizon League opponent this season that the Flames limited to six or fewer shots.

 
NEXT UP

• UIC returns home for its regular season finale, set for Friday (Oct. 26) against Northern Kentucky at 7 p.m. CT at Flames Field.
• The Flames remain in the hunt for a spot in the postseason as their nine points ranks them in a tie for sixth after Saturday's games.