DAYTON, Ohio – Despite gaining momentum into halftime, UIC could not find the offense it needed as Wright State went on to take the 3-1 final Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field. Emily Kavanaugh scored for the Flames with her fourth goal of the season as Keri Birkenhead notched her first assist.
 
The Flames reached a double digit shot total for the eighth time of the year with their output of 10. Kavanaugh led the team with three attempts, followed by Naomi Rushe and Megan Bowman with two apiece. In addition to Kavanaugh's goal, Tamae Douglas and Kennedy Messina had the other looks that made up the team's three shots on goal.
 
Tara Khayam got her first start against a Horizon League opponent this season and her seventh overall. She went the complete game and tallied four saves after facing 14 shots from the Raiders.
 
UIC drops to 2-13-1, 1-4-0 HL, this season, while Wright State goes to 4-6-2, 3-1-1 HL.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Flames had to work back from a deficit early as the Raiders scored their first goal in just the fourth minute of play. Aaliyah Patten received the ball from Mattie Cutts and shot it past a defender and into the opposite side of the net.
• The lead for Wright State went up six minutes later in the 10th minute when Cutts sent in a feed that knocked off a UIC defender to Reagan Clark and into the back of the net for the 2-0 advantage. Five of the next seven shots would belong to the Raiders despite the attack of the Flames.
• In the 37th minute, the hard work of UIC paid off as Birkenhead took the ball and fed Kavanaugh, who let a shot go from 20 yards out and had it hook into the net to narrow the score to 2-1.
• Wright State attempted three shots out of the break before it found one that gave it the 3-1 lead in the 59th minute. Starting off a free kick in UIC's zone, the ball reached Cutts and then went over to Jordan Helinski, who executed a chipped shot that bounced in for the goal.
• The Flames attempted just two shots the rest of the way, with Bowman having her attempt blocked and Messina getting a look that was saved, as the Raiders broke up any potential chances.

 
NOTABLES

• UIC saw its 12th different group of starters hit the field. Khayam's start was her first in goal since facing Illinois State (Sept. 2).
• Kavanaugh's goal ended a three match scoring drought for the Flames and is responsible for three of the last four goals scored by UIC, all of which have been against conference foes.
• The result marked the first time since 2015 that UIC had lost four consecutive Horizon League matches.

 
NEXT UP

• The Flames will have a week long break before they return home to host Youngstown State next Saturday (Oct. 13) at 7 p.m. CT at Flames Field.
• The match will also serve as Senior Day, with UIC honoring Alexis Jakuszewski, Rebeca Pallo, Naomi Rushe and Jennifer Saviski, in addition to Alumni, Family and Friends Day.