UIC defeated Southern Illinois by a 1-0 final in the team's final exhibition match of the 2021 preseason.

Makena Shaw score the match's only goal in the 71^st minute.  The Flames earned a corner kick, and after SIU cleared it, Shaw regained possession and sent it into the net.  She finished the match playing all 90 minutes and leading everyone with four shots, all of which went on goal.

"We had more numbers today than we did Tuesday, and we could use more of our depth which helped us," David Nikolic said.  "A number of people who were able to contribute balanced the team, and that showed in the stats.  We had good control, especially in the last 30 minutes.  We showed our bite, our determination; ball winning was good and we could get in front of the goal."

Ryan Skall had two opportunities in the first of three 30-minute periods.  She had a shot saved, and then got her own rebound and put another try on goal which was also saved.

Lena Kurz started in goal and made one save.  Sara Sanabria and Lauren Keiser each turned away Saluki shots to preserve the shutout.

"You can see the development, but we have to be cleaner and on the same page for longer periods of time.  We are doing it in bursts, but we have to do it for longer," Nikolic continued.  "Yulexi Diaz made her first appearance for us and we think she will do big things for us this year wherever she plays.  Ryan Skall had a good performance.  Brielle Gomez played 90 minutes; Grace Haines played 90 in the back.  Megan Bowman had a great shift too.  It was difficult playing in 90-plus degree heat on turf, but there were a lot of bright spots."

Shaw took two shots in the final minutes as part of a Flames attack that put eight of the team's nine shots on target.  Both of her efforts were saved and the final remained a one-goal margin.

UIC will begin the regular season Thursday night at Wake Forest.

"We're still in the growing phase of learning and getting ideas sorted out.  In the first period we were lacking in some of the concepts so we're still building some things.  We have a few practices to get those sorted out before we go to Wake Forest," Nikolic concluded.