It has been a season of firsts for UIC.  On Thursday night, they added another.

Cassidy Privett scored the golden goal early in the second overtime period to give the Flames their first-ever Horizon League tournament win by a 1-0 score over Northern Kentucky.  The team will make their first appearance in the conference title match on Saturday.

"This means everything," Tom Anagnost said, adding that he felt "more than a little bit of relief" once the decisive goal went in.  "Frustration didn't get the best of us" after dominating possession and taking a season high 26 shots to NKU's nine.  "They know they can do better in front of goal.  They kept at it, and that's a testament to who they are.  We work on our set pieces, and that was the difference in the game."

Privett scored after Emily Valentine sent in a corner kick and Tamae Douglas chested it down to Privett's foot.  With the keeper prone, having anticipated a shot on the first touch, Privett only had to poke the ball into the empty net to send her team into a massive celebration.

Valentine became the program's all-time assist leader. 

"Hats off to NKU," Anagnost continued.  "They battled, they hung with the game the whole time.  They had a few attacking moments that were dangerous.  I'm just really proud of our team.  They kept at it, knocking on the door, finally got what they deserved.  I'm so happy for them.

"We're going to celebrate and be happy, and try to recover the best we can and start preparing for Saturday."

The Flames will take on Milwaukee, the winner of the second semifinal, in the title match.

Moments That Mattered

• UIC dominated possession in the first 15 minutes of play.  Autumn Rasmussen, who put three shots on goal in the first half, had an early shot saved.  The Flames' aggressiveness rewarded them with a free kick in NKU's end and a corner kick before five minutes passed.
• Emily Valentine was in the mix with a clean shot that went right to the keeper's midsection.  Later, after Megan Bowman's header of a corner kick was saved, Valentine was in place for a follow-up try that went wide.  In the 21^st minute, Valentine had the best chance of the match to that point, blasting a shot from about 35 yards that stayed just high of the crossbar.
• Rasmussen took a dangerous shot of her own in the 33^rd minute.  It forced Mimi Stines to lay out with a dive to her right to make the save.
• Meanwhile, NKU was their own worst enemy on the occasions they built up a threat.  They went offside three times in the first half.  When they did stay organized on a free kick opportunity, UIC's back line was ready to neutralize them with Jessica Christmas eventually taking possession right outside the area.
• As much as the Flames controlled the first half – they were credited with 65% possession – Northern Kentucky played on the front foot to begin the second.  Lena Kurz had to go prone to made a save right off the bat.  Tamae Douglas provided enough interference on a Norse chip-in to allow Kurz to make another play seconds later.  Before the second half was 10 minutes old, the Flames turned it over deep in their own end, putting Kurz in the spotlight again.  All three of her saves came in that 10-minute span.
• The Flames righted their ship for the next bout of possession.  They earned two free kicks at the 40-yard mark, each of which got sent in without much danger.  On a subsequent advance, an apparent Norse hand ball in the box was not called.  Undeterred, UIC sprung Jackie Santibanez behind the defense for a moment of much anticipation, but her cross went begging.
• Shawna Zaken, the league's Player of the Year, was limited to only one shot on goal.  She had a head of steam as she dribbled upfield on a break until Douglas intercepted her offering to prevent a threat.
• Megan Bowman nearly provided a decisive goal on a long shot that she kept low enough to get under the crossbar.  Stines made one of her 11 saves with a leap to tip it just over the bar and out.  In the final minute of regulation, Emma Main lined up a free kick from an advantageous spot that Stines moved into position to save cleanly.
• Early and late in the first overtime, UIC looked to end the match.  Off the kickoff, they initiated action that led to a credible shot that went wide.  In the last minute, they earned a corner kick that was headed on net but saved.  The ensuing corner kick was cleared.
• Privett scored her second goal at 103:39.  Santibanez played Rasmussen forward and her cross was deflected over the line to award the Flames the corner kick.  Stines came off her line to body up Douglas on the kick, and Privett took advantage in the ensuing action.

Facts and Figures

• Aside from Privett replacing Emily Kavanaugh, the Starting XI remained intact from the regular season finale.
• Privett has scored in two of the last three matches.  She became the seventh Flame to score multiple goals this year.
• Both of Privett's shots went on goal.  Rasmussen had a game high three attempts on target.  Valentine and Douglas each had five total shots.
• Stines' 11 saves tied the most that the Flames had turned away all year.
• Along with their season high 26 shots, UIC tied their high water mark with 12 shots on goal.
• UIC was credited with 66% possession on the match, and had a 13-2 advantage in corner kicks.  Their corner total was another season high.
• Kurz turned in her 10^th clean sheet.
• Valentine picked up her team best fifth assist of the year, giving her sole possession of the team lead in points, with 13.
• Douglas' assist was her second.

Up Next

• The Flames will play for the league title, and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, Saturday at 6.
• Milwaukee will host the championship match by virtue of their regular season championship. 
• The Panthers defeated Oakland, 2-1, in the second semifinal Thursday night.