Skip To Main Content

UIC Athletics

thevalley
Emma Main vs CMU
Steve Woltmann
1
Winner UIC UIC (6-3-1, 2-0-0)
0
Northern Kentucky NKU (4-5-0, 1-1-0)
Winner
UIC UIC
(6-3-1, 2-0-0)
1
Final
0
Northern Kentucky NKU
(4-5-0, 1-1-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UIC UIC 0 1 1
Northern Kentucky NKU 0 0 0

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Main Heads UIC Past Northern Kentucky for First Time Ever

With Yet Another Shutout, Flames Move to 2-0 in Conference Play

Emma Main provided the only goal of the match in UIC's 1-0 win over Northern Kentucky Saturday night.

The Flames moved to 2-0 in Horizon League play, and earned the first win over NKU in program history, after Main headed in a service from Emily Kavanaugh in the 80th minute.  Kavanaugh had dribbled into the left corner before sending in the cross.  Main got in front of her defender and nodded the ball to the upper left 90.

"Winning is really hard, especially on the road against a very well coached NKU team," Tom Anagnost said.  "I'm very proud of our team and how we fought hard and gutted it out.  We bent but didn't break and scored a fantastic goal to earn the win."

UIC (6-3-1) is three games over .500 for the first time ever.  They had never before won their first two Horizon League games.

Moments That Mattered
  • The Flames carried possession in the early stages.  Jackie Santibanez took two shots in the first 15 minutes, one of which went on target.
  • Northern Kentucky's most dangerous moment of the first half came when Ally Perkins got behind the defense and worked close to the goal.  She sent a low shot to Lena Kurz' left, but the Flames keeper was up to the task with a diving save.
  • UIC earned a free kick in the 35th minute.  The service went into the box, where an initial header was headed out by a Norse, only to find the head of another Flame to get directed toward the frame but just high.
  • Keri Birkenhead had a quick open look for a shot from the top of the box in minute 57.  It got blocked, and the Flames' next two chances showed promise but were whistled for offside.
  • The Flames' defense stood tall on a Norse breakaway.  A shot from close range was thwarted when Tamae Douglas stuck her foot between the shooter's legs.  On the ensuing corner kick, Chloe Mills pushed Kurz into the net, negating a goal.
  • Kurz made sure handed saves on two more shots in rapid succession.  She then made the biggest play of the game when NKU was awarded a penalty kick.  Kurz dove to her left, making the save to keep the match scoreless.
  • Emma Main carried the offense in the last quarter hour.  She worked her way open for a shot which she bent skillfully to the far post, but with enough air under it for the keeper to make the save.  Six minutes later, she left no doubt upon burying a header off of Kavanaugh's cross.
  • UIC's defense was up to the task every time the Norse mounted an attack in the final 10 desperate minutes.  Notably, Douglas ran off a player in the box, allowing Kurz to make the play on the ball.  The Flames cleared a final minute corner kick and claimed the three points.
Facts and Figures
  • Cassidy Privett returned to the starting lineup.
  • The Flames extended the program record with their seventh shutout of the season.  They matched the program high with their third straight clean sheet.
  • Main's goal, her third of the season, moved her into the team lead.  All three of her strikes have been game-winners.
  • Kurz made three saves and earned her league-leading sixth shutout.
  • The Flames had a slight edge in shots, 15-12.  Main and Birkenhead shared the team lead with three each.
  • Main also earned the match's only yellow card.
  • Not only did the Flames get their first ever win over the Norse, but Main's goal was the first allowed by NKU in the series.
Up Next
  • The Flames are back on the road for a Wednesday night match.
  • A trip to Indy is on tap with IUPUI next on the schedule.
Print Friendly Version