UIC took strides into uncharted territory with a 3-0 win over Cleveland State Sunday afternoon at Flames Field.  In addition to improving upon the program records with their tenth win, and sixth Horizon League victory, they clinched a top-four seed in the conference tournament.

The fourth straight win is also a new program-long streak.  It was the fifth victory of the season at home, marking yet another program high.

"I think we've been playing pretty well.  Result-wise, things have gone in our favor, so we're happy," Tom Anagnost said.  "I'm really happy for the kids; they've worked hard all year and now they're seeing the fruits of their labor."

Emily Kavanaugh scored late in the first half.  Cassidy Privett had the first goal of her career shortly after halftime.  "We spoke at halftime about getting the next goal, and we did that within eight minutes.  That was fantastic," Anagnost said.  "We don't let up.  I don't want them to ever let up.  Each goal is so big.  I was pleased that we had three go in today. Not allowing a goal is great.  We really didn't give them a lot, and putting a few in there was great to see."

Megan Bowman made it 3-0 in the 65^th minute.  The Flames held a sizable 21-8 advantage in shots.  Lena Kurz made three saves in 88 minutes and shared the shutout with Annika Laihanen.
The Flames will close the regular season Friday on Senior Night, when they will honor Privett, Tamae Douglas, Emily Valentine, and Autumn Rasmussen.

UIC has qualified for the Horizon League tournament just once before, as the #5 seed.  The #3 and #4 seeds host quarterfinal matches.  The Flames are still in the running for the #2 seed, which gets a bye to the semifinals.

Moments That Mattered

• The Flames dominated possession throughout and set that tone early.  Valentine had a quality shot that forced a save in the first 90 seconds.  Emma Main stole the ball near the center line and created a shot, and Sydney Gratz buzzed the crossbar in additional early action.
• On a rare first half threat by the Vikings, Douglas headed the ball out of the box and Bowman took care of the clearance after a bounce.  None of Cleveland State's four first-half shots went on goal.
• The Flames had consecutive corner kicks in the 36^th minute.  Douglas headed the second one toward the frame but high.  Keri Birkenhead kept her shot low in the final five minutes, forcing a diving stop by Stevie Holbrook.
• Kavanaugh broke the ice after the ball ricocheted in the six-yard box.  More pressure by the Flames placed several bodies there when a cross was whipped in.  The Vikings attempted to deny a shot, but instead directed the ball to Kavanaugh's waiting foot.
• UIC began the second half with the same pressure they had applied throughout the first.  Rasmussen had a shot on goal and Kavanaugh had another attempt before the Flames won a corner kick in the 53^rd minute.  Traffic in the box was heavy, and a Viking redirected the initial service.  Privett was in the right place to clean up with a well-placed shot to the far post.
• Kurz made two of her three saves in the ensuing seven minutes.  Thanks to her back line, the shots were from distance, and she had plenty of time to see the ball into her mitts.
• Bowman's goal was nearly a carbon copy of Privett's.  A corner kick was swung into the box, falling at the feet of Janai Cedeno.  She immediately sent it forward to Bowman's area, and the sophomore was true in beating Miranda Thomas, who had entered right after the Flames' second goal.
• Chasing three goals, the Vikings would get just two more shots the rest of the match.  UIC played a physical brand of defense and did not allow the visitors to connect passes in pursuit of an advance into the final third.  Laihanen spelled Kurz for the final two minutes.

Facts and Figures

• Privett returned to the starting lineup for her 10^th appearance in the First XI.  It was the 10^th different group of starters.
• Kavanaugh and Bowman each scored their third goal.  They moved into a tie for third on the team.
• Privett became the ninth Flame with at least one goal.
• Cedeno's assist was the first of her season and the second of her career.  Ten different Flames have at least one helper.
• UIC's 21-8 margin in shots was their third best differential of the season.  Twice before, they took 16 more shots than their foe.  They tied their season high in total shots taken.
• The team improved to 10-0 when scoring first.  It was the tenth shutout of the campaign.
• UIC scored three or more goals for the fourth time.  Three of those instances have been the last three matches.
• The Flames matched a program record with 10 goals over three straight matches.
• UIC held a 5-1 edge in corner kicks, holding Cleveland State to a season-low tying number of corners.

Up Next

• The regular season will conclude Friday night.
• Oakland will visit Flames Field for a 7 pm kickoff, with Senior Night ceremonies beforehand.
• The Horizon League quarterfinals will take place next Monday.  The semifinal round will be held Thursday.