On a gorgeous Opening Night at Flames Field, UIC played Central Michigan to a scoreless draw.  The Flames had a 16-12 edge in shots, and a more significant 10-4 margin in shots on goal.  Lena Kurz made three saves and got help from Tamae Douglas to keep the Chippewas off the scoreboard.

"It was a pretty tough first game for us," head coach Tom Anagnost said of his first game at the helm.  "I thought Central Michigan was organized.  They have a few talented attacking players, and I thought for the most part we did a good job against them."

After winning their two preseason games – both via shutout – the Flames kept their unscored-upon streak intact even as the offense was held scoreless.  "I don't think we had enough quality individual performances," Anagnost continued.  "We're not good enough in the attacking third of the field with any final ball.  Our ball striking wasn't clean.  We had chances; we did score a goal that was called off, so there are positives.

"One good thing culturally, is the kids aren't happy.  That shows they want more, which is another positive sign.  All in all, it was a pretty fair result.  Credit to CMU, they came in tough and organized.  We'll get back at it and get ourselves more prepared for a tough opponent Sunday."

Moments That Mattered

• Defense set the tone for UIC in the first 15 minutes.  When Central Michigan got into position to send a cross into the box, Megan Bowman was there to intercept it and send it out of the zone.  The Chippewas had one corner kick in the first half, which Lena Kurz grabbed with two hands to prevent any danger.  Bowman was particularly active in the early goings with a number of integral plays on both ends of the field.
• Two chances for UIC presented themselves in quick succession.  Keri Birkenhead tried to send a cross in front of the net, but the wind pushed it behind the frame.  Grace Haines took the ball to the same spot and played a better entry, but keeper Zoie Reed made the play.
• Offside positions cost the Flames two great chances.  At the half hour mark, Autumn Rasmussen was in the middle of a promising run toward the goal before the flag went up.  In minute 37, a corner kick from Emily Kavanaugh went from Haines to Keri Birkenhead into the net, but the entire play was nullified by offside.
• Defense was needed again in the first third of half number two.  Kurz made a save of a close-range shot, but the rebound stayed in play.  A Chippewa sent the ball toward the far post, but Tamae Douglas was in position to make the play of the game, clearing it off the line.
• The Flames put together a chance when Birkenhead played to Main, but the latter was unable to finish.  Later, Main rifled a shot wide of the target to the frustration of the home fans.
• Janai Cedeno made her presence known when Central Michigan had the makings of a fast break.  She sprinted to the middle of the field, dispossessed the ball handler, and even drew a foul in the exchange.
• At the end of regulation, UIC had two chances to end the game with a win.  Main played to Kavanaugh for a wide open shot from 14 yards, which was nicely saved.  In the final seconds, the Flames sent in a corner kick which ended at the feet of Bowman, who was only able to send a last-ditch shot wide of the post.
• The physicality that ratcheted up in the late stages of regulation continued in the overtime periods, but neither team put the fear of a goal in the other side's collective stomach.

Facts and Figures

• In the first season opener in program history to be played at Flames Field, UIC moved to 1-3-2 all-time in opening matches.
• Birkenhead had a team high five shots, with Bowman right behind with four.  Kavanaugh led the squad with three shots on goal; Birkenhead and Bowman each had two.
• Six players made their Flames debut.  Sydney Gratz, Emma Main, Grace Haines, and Jackie Santibanez all started, as did keeper Lena Kurz.  Aidan Senior also got in the game.
• Three subs – Cassidy Privett, Emily Valentine, and Aidan Senior – saw action off the bench.
• UIC was flagged for offside four times.
• The Chippewas committed 22 fouls; the Flames 15.  Six combined fouls were whistled in the second overtime alone.
• CMU's Lauren DeBeau saw an early yellow card.  Autumn Rasmussen, Main, and Sydney Gratz were all booked as well; the latter two late in regulation and in overtime.
• The Flames maintained a 6-3 margin in corner kicks.

Up Next

• UIC will hit the road to take on Indiana on Sunday.
• The first-ever meeting between the programs will kick at noon Central.  Coverage will be on BTN Plus.