UIC's lone home match in a six-match, 34-day span will be a big one.  On Sunday, the Flames will welcome defending Horizon League champion Milwaukee for a 1 pm showdown at Flames Field.  The last two home matches, and four of the last five, have all been wins for UIC, and all four have come via shutout.

The Flames won their first two conference matches, and though they fell to IUPUI Wednesday, their 2-1 Horizon League record matches their best start in team history and has them tied for second place entering the weekend's action.  With three big points up for grabs, Sunday's result could provide an edge for either team as the table continues to get sorted out.

The match will be a battle of strength versus strength when Milwaukee is on the attack.  The Panthers have the Horizon League's most prolific scoring offense, while the Flames have allowed the fewest goals – six, or 0.55 per game – of any conference squad.

Admission to Flames Field is free.

Last Time Out

• The Flames fell to IUPUI by a 2-1 final on Wednesday.
• Jessica Christmas scored her first career goal in the 88th minute. She chested down a corner kick, past two defenders and the keeper.
• Tamae Douglas showed two-way versatility. She defended several IUPUI chances, and then played more forward as UIC trailed, and created opportunities of her own inside the 18.
• Lena Kurz made two spectacular saves among her six total stops.
• IUPUI became the first Horizon League team to score on, let alone defeat, UIC. The Flames allowed a season high-tying eight shots on goal.

Flames to Watch

• Lena Kurz is 16^th in the nation with six shutouts.  She is second in the Horizon League in goals-against average and third in save percentage.
• Emma Main has scored three goals, all of which have been game-winners.
• Keri Birkenhead leads the team in shots and shots on goal.

Doing It With Defense

• UIC has the stingiest defense in the Horizon League. The Flames have allowed a conference-low six goals entering the weekend's action.
• The Flames' overall save percentage, .870, is the best in the conference and 14^th in the country.
• With seven shutouts, UIC ranks first in the conference.
• Every result UIC has earned this year has come via shutout.  With seven clean sheets in 11 matches, the team is in the top 25 nationally in shutout percentage.

Scouting the Panthers

• Milwaukee moved to 10-1 overall, and 3-0 in conference play, with a 1-0 win over Green Bay Wednesday. It was their seventh straight win.
• Mackenzie Schill scored the lone goal against the Phoenix. She and Gaby Schwartz have four goals each. Haley Johnson has a team-high five.
• Elaina LaMacchia has started all three conference contests. Her overall goals-against average of 0.49 leads the Horizon League.
• The Panthers lead the conference with 2.45 goals per game. They have won 16 straight Horizon League matches, and are unbeaten in 27 straight.