CHICAGO -- Jackie Santibanez found the back of the net twice Friday evening as the UIC women's soccer team shut out Wright State, 2-0. The Flames improved to 4-3-1 (1-0 HL) while the Raiders fell to 5-2-2 (0-1 HL) in the conference opener for both teams.
 
"We're all pretty happy," said head coach Tom Anagnost. "I thought, all-around, it was the best performance this year. We played 90 minutes of pretty solid soccer. I'm most proud of how our women attacked training and worked on the things that we executed in the game. As a coach you can't ask for more. They tried hard, they worked hard, and we earned it and deserved it."
 
Santibanez broke a 0-0 tie in the 17^th minute from just inside the box. Megan Bowman fed Santibanez the ball just outside the box, who then took a few touches into the box before beating the Raider goalie to the far post. UIC's lead grew to 2-0 in the 77^th minute off the foot of Santibanez once again. Emily Valentine served a long ball to Santibanez, who evaded the keeper and found the back of the open net. It is the first two goals this year for the freshman out of Frostproof, Florida.
 
"She's [Santibanez] been great all year. It was great that she got rewarded for some goals finally. I'm really happy that not only did she score, but we scored multiple goals. This team is dangerous, this team can score goals and we did a good job keeping Wright State in check."
 
UIC concludes a season-long four-match homestand on Sunday against Valparaiso. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m.
 
Moments That Mattered

• UIC nearly struck in the opening minute of play, as Emma Main took a shot on frame 19 seconds into the game. Her attempt was saved by Wright State's Maddie Jewell, who saved four shots in the opening half.
• Cassidy Privett looked to get UIC on the board in the 16^th minute following a Grace Haines corner kick, but her attempt hit the crossbar and went over the back of the net.
• The Flames eventually broke through in the 17^th minute on Santibanez's goal from just inside the box. It was first points for the freshman this season.
• Wright State fired off its first shot of the evening in the 20^th minute, but Brittney Petrosky's shot sailed high.
• The Raiders were issued a yellow card in the 39^th minute after a hard challenge by Jordyne Helinski. UIC's bench picked up a yellow card in the 48^th minute.
• Santibanez picked up the first brace of her young collegiate career in the 77^th of play following the long ball by Valentine. It was the first point of the season for Valentine.
• Wright State looked to answer back in the 79^th minute. Helinski took a shot on frame but her attempt was blocked by the UIC back line. Seconds late, Alysha Harmer's shot missed wide of the target.

Facts and Figures

• Santibanez now shares the team lead with four points following the pair of goals.
• Bowman collected her third point and first assists of the year with the helper in the first half.
• Friday marked the first time this season that UIC scored multiple goals in a game.
• UIC dominated the stat sheet, out-shooting Wright State, 13-8, while also holding an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.
• Lena Kurz returned to net and played all 90 minutes. She did not face a shot on goal Friday.