Megan Bowman scored just over two minutes in to the second overtime period to give UIC a 1-0 win over South Dakota at Flames Field Sunday.

Bowman headed a corner kick toward the net, which somehow got through the forest of bodies assembled there, and found a home inside the near post.  It gave UIC a second straight win and improved their record to 2-1-1.

"I'm proud of our kids," head coach Tom Anagnost said.  "We kept at it, kept at it, and finally were rewarded."  The Flames held possession for significant stretches of the match and had plenty of opportunities for shots.  Especially in the second half, a number of tries looked promising off the boot only to miss the frame or find the keeper's hands.

The game-winner was the first of Bowman's career.

Anagnost praised one of his team's unsung heroes.  "Cassidy Privett was a difference maker for us.  She exemplifies what we want out of every individual on our team.  She's a leader, she is fearless, plays with courage and gives everything she has for the team."  Privett was instrumental in fending off push after push by the Coyotes, who fell to 1-3.
 
Moments That Mattered

• UIC manufactured a promising chance early in the contest.  In the third minute, Emily Kavanaugh started on the wing and then closed the gap before sending a cross in the direction of Keri Birkenhead.  The latter was on a well-aligned run but the cross was too far in front of her.  Kavanaugh later took the Flames' best shot of the first half, requiring a diving save to the keeper's right.
• South Dakota's most dangerous chance of the first half came in the 20^th minute.  A foul set them up with a free kick near the corner, and Coyotes were in position to generate two shots.  One was saved by Lena Kurz, and the other was cleared off the line by Sydney Gratz.  A third chance that the visitors sent into the net was nullified as they were offside.
• Just after the half hour mark, the Flames controlled possession long enough to assemble a couple of opportunities.  Megan Bowman and Tamae Douglas each sent a try on net, both of which were saved by Bella Alessio.
• South Dakota had two moments of opportunity early in the second half.  A shot from 25 yards forced Kurz to jump high to make the sure save.  Two minutes later, a breakaway materialized until Tamae Douglas made a proficient slide tackle at the top of the box, ending the threat.
• Emily Valentine checked in at the 64^th minute and made an immediate impact on the match.  She was in a good position for two shots a minute apart, forcing a save and having the other blocked en route.  She put another shot wide later in the second half, leading up to a flurry of late shots from Bowman and Keri Birkenhead that each gave the home fans a brief moment of anticipation of a decisive goal.
• The first overtime period was played without much incident from either side.  Kavanaugh took the segment's only shot, a strike on target that was saved as the teams played on.
• The Flames ended the match early in the second overtime.  After aggressively playing the ball forward in the final third, they earned a corner kick.  The service found Bowman's head in front of the goal, and once she nodded the ball down and forward, nobody made contact with it and it went into the net for the victory.

Facts and Figures

• The Flames had a 60-40 advantage in possession.  They dominated the attacking stats, taking 21 shots to South Dakota's five.
• Four of the Coyotes' five shots went on goal.  The Flames put 12 attempts on target.
• UIC's shots and shots on goal totals were both season highs.
• Bowman had game highs with five shots and four on goal.
• Kavanaugh (4), Birkenhead (3), Valentine (3), and Grace Haines (2) all had multiple shots.
• Kurz made four saves.  She has three shutouts in the Flames' four matches.
• UIC took a season high nine corner kicks.  With the Coyotes taking just three, the Flames have limited each of their opponents to four or less chances from the corner.
• The only yellow card of the contest went to South Dakota's Tiannah Moore for a two-handed shove to the back of Tamae Douglas after the latter had established superior defensive position in front of UIC's goal.
• UIC is 3-1-1 in its last five home matches dating to last season.
• Both of the Flames' home games this year have gone to double overtime.
• Every match UIC has played in 2019 – the four regular season outings and both exhibitions – has been a shutout.

Up Next

• The Flames will hit the road again later this week.
• A match at Western Illinois will be the third road outing in a four-match stretch.
• The Flames and Leathernecks will square off Thursday at 4 pm.