If UIC returns to the Horizon League tournament for the third straight year, they will have accumulated several wins, lots of experience – and plenty of frequent-flyer miles.
The 2021 schedule will see the Flames travel to Tobacco Road, Minneapolis, and Philadelphia as part of a challenging non-conference slate. Matches against the likes of Wake Forest, Minnesota, and Penn, as well as Marquette, DePaul, and Western Illinois, dominate the first month of the season.
"We come into each season looking to match up with top teams, players and coaches from across the country. I want our players to know that UIC will seek to play these games every chance we can get,"
David Nikolic said. "Each match provides opportunities for the players to grow and the environment of playing in the elite levels of NCAA Division I Women's Soccer will be exciting for all of us. This is part of the overall picture of preparation for the Horizon League play."
The season will begin August 19 at Wake Forest. The Flames will travel directly to Minnesota for a match on the 22
nd, before returning to Chicago to face DePaul on the 29
th. The team's first four matches, and six of their first seven, are on the road.
"These first two games on the road are against two of the finest coaches in the country and whom I have great respect for what they have accomplished in their careers," Nikolic continued. "Our opponents will be playing at home in front of their fans and we expect that the games will be full of energy and excitement."
Six of the Flames' seven non-conference opponents will be the first-ever meetings between the programs, including the inaugural match against the Blue Demons. A trip to Penn kicks off September. The home opener, a contest against Western Illinois September 5, and a visit to Marquette will close the non-conference portion of the schedule.
Horizon League play will begin September 16 at Purdue Fort Wayne. The Flames will play all 11 conference foes consecutively, with road trips to Oakland, Youngstown State, Milwaukee, Cleveland State, and Wright State peppering the docket. Northern Kentucky, Green Bay, Robert Morris, Detroit Mercy, and IUPUI will visit Flames Field. The Flames and Jaguars have jockeyed for tournament seeding each of the last two seasons, giving the regular season finale against IUPUI October 27 potential added significance.
"I am eager to get back to the Horizon League matches this September," said Nikolic, who was part of 13 Horizon-winning teams at Milwaukee. "Our team knows the work that must be done in this very competitive league. We are looking to that first match with enthusiasm wanting to start off well. The schedule is very balanced for us and is positive from a preparation and from a student-athlete experience standpoint."
The Horizon League tournament is scheduled to return to a six-team format. It will begin October 31 at the sites of the #3 and #4 seeds. The top two seeds will get byes to the semifinals, which will be held November 4 at the #1 seed's home. The title match will be November 6.
A home match against city rival Loyola August 10, and a visit to Southern Illinois on the 13
th, will give the Flames two exhibition outings to sharpen their skills. Streaming coverage for regular season matches will be announced at a later date.
