UIC will visit Youngstown State on Saturday afternoon for an important Horizon League match.  The Flames carry a record of 7-5-1 overall, and 3-2 in conference play.  A win over the Penguins would set a new program record for overall and road wins in a season.

The Flames enter the weekend in a three-way tie for third place in the conference standings.  They are just one point out of second place.  A win would give them their third winning streak of two or more matches, and would put a crucial three points in their account.  Just three matches will remain after Saturday's action, as teams jockey for position and seeding in the Horizon League tournament.

Last Time Out

• The Flames' defense smothered Detroit Mercy in a 1-0 win last Saturday.
• Emily Valentine provided all the scoring UIC would need via an 11th-minute penalty kick. It was her first goal of the season.
• The Titans got just three shots off against UIC's back line. A mere one of those attempts went on goal.
• UIC tied two program records with their seventh overall win and third road victory.

Flames to Watch

• Lena Kurz picked up her seventh shutout against Detroit Mercy.  That total leads the Horizon League and is good for 51^st in the nation.  She is among the NCAA's top 35 keepers in save percentage and goals-against average.
• Jackie Santibanez and Emily Kavanaugh each have a brace this season.
• Emily Valentine became the seventh Flame to notch a goal when she scored the game-winner against Detroit Mercy.
• Tamae Douglas has two career goals against Youngstown State.

Scouting the Penguins

• Youngstown State dropped a 2-1 final to Green Bay last weekend.
• Marcella Sizer scored her team-leading fifth goal.
• Regan Lavigna has four assists to lead the team.
• Primary keeper Kate McEachern has a 1.93 goals-against average and a .771 save percentage.
• The Penguins have allowed the most goals in the Horizon League (30, 2.14 per match).

Nationally Ranked Defense

• UIC has the second stingiest defense in the Horizon League. The Flames have allowed nine goals entering the weekend's action, one more than first place Milwaukee's eight.
• UIC is also second by allowing 0.69 goals per game.  The team's goals-against average ranks 30^th in the country.
• The Flames' overall save percentage, .836, is third in the conference and 42^nd in the nation.
• With eight shutouts, UIC ranks first in the conference and 21^st in the NCAA.
• Every result UIC has earned this year has come via shutout.  By posting a clean sheet in eight of 13 matches (61.5%), the team ranks 18^th nationally in shutout percentage.