A season of firsts continued on this date in 1999, when UIC clinched the first NCAA tournament bid in program history.

The Flames had already won the Midwestern Collegiate Conference regular season and tournament titles, both of which were first-time accomplishments.  On the heels of their 2-0 win over Detroit in the conference final, they earned the right to host an NCAA play-in match against Fairfield.  A fifth-minute goal from John Collins stood up as the match's lone tally.  Chris Jamal made five saves.

The 1-0 win advanced UIC to the 32-team bracket opposite #3 seed St. Louis.  The Flames led the Billikens twice in that match, but each time St. Louis rallied and eventually prevailed by a 3-2 score.  Indiana won the national championship.  They were led by current Flames Associate Head Coach Aleksey Korol, who scored a tournament-high four goals.