CHICAGO, Ill. - A late goal by Emma Main proved to be the difference maker for UIC as the Flames topped Sam Houston State, 1-0, Thursday evening at Flames Field.
 
Scoreless through the first 82 minutes of play, UIC (3-2-1) drew a penalty in the 83^rd minute just outside the right side of the box. Grace Haines took the set piece and set it to the far post, where it eventually fell to the foot of Main. The sophomore netted her second goal of the year, as her shot went across the face of the Bearkat goalie and into the corner of the net.
 
"We were disappointed in the first half. It was a very lackadaisical half and we didn't deserve anything from that half," said head coach Tom Anagnost. "The second half, I thought we brought more energy, a little more aggressiveness and I thought our team did better. We earned the goal and created more chances. I give our kids credit; they showed improvement throughout the game and showed more character which is what I care about most."
 
The Flames owned a decisive 15-4 advantage in shots on goal, with five attempts going on target. UIC is back in action on Sunday, Sept. 15 at home against Utah State.
 
Moments That Mattered
 

• The first action of the game came in the 13^th minute as Keri Birkenhead was fed a service in the box, but her header sailed just wide. UIC would dominate the attack in the early going, registering the first five shots of the game before Sam Houston State tallied their first attempt of the evening in the 33^rd minute.
• UIC's back line limited the Bearkats to just two shots in the opening 45 minutes, one of which was blocked while the other went over the crossbar.
• The Flames' first shot on target came in the 27^th minute off the foot of Megan Bowman, with Tatum Krueger collecting her first of four saves in the game.
• Sam Houston State tallied the first attempt of the second half, one minute into play, but the attempt was blocked, leading to a UIC scoring threat. On the ensuing possession, Autumn Rasmussen's attempt was denied by the Bearkat back line, but rebounded right to Janai Cedeno. Her attempt to score the first goal of the game sailed just over the far corner.
• After coming on as a substitution in the 81^st minute, Main tallied her second goal of the season two minutes later to break the 0-0 draw.
• Lena Kurz was tested with just one shot on goal, which came in the closing seconds on a desperation attempt by Courtney Pawlik. The bail sailed harmlessly into Kurz's hands, giving the goalie her fourth clean sheet of the year.

 
Facts and Figures
 

• Main's goal gives her a team-leading four points on the season and now leads the team with two goals. She also scored a goal against Toledo on Aug. 29.
• Haines tallied her first point of the year on the assist.
• Main led the team Thursday with four shots and two shots on goal
• UIC owned a 5-2 advantage of corner kicks compared to Sam Houston State
• The four shots and one shot on goal are both season-lows allowed by the UIC defense. The Flames limited South Dakota to five shots on Sept. 1 and limited South Dakota and Central Michigan (Aug. 23) to four shots on goal.