For the UIC women's soccer team, the Horizon League opener against Purdue Fort Wayne represents a fresh start.

"Once you get into conference play, every team is 0-0," David Nikolic said.  "We think our non-conference games have prepared us for the challenge of Horizon League play and a quality Purdue Fort Wayne team that is very tough to beat at home."

A draw against Minnesota, who remains undefeated and has not allowed a goal all season, highlighted the first six matches of the season.  The Flames were the only team to hold Wake Forest, who is 8-0 to date, to just one goal.  As Nikolic and his staff continued to experiment with different combinations, the Flames gathered some momentum during their last match at Marquette.  The week that the team has had since their last match is the longest break they will have the rest of the season.

Program history was made the one and only time the Flames previously faced Purdue Fort Wayne.  Last season's match in Rockford saw UIC score at 1:04 to mark the program's fastest goal ever.  Grace Setter scored later in the first half and the Flames went on to win 2-0.

The Mastodons are coming off a 2-all draw with Chicago State, which halted a two-match losing streak.  Thursday's match will be a sort of homecoming for them, as they have not played on their home pitch – where they are 1-0-2 this season – since August 27.

An ESPN+ stream will be available.  The match will begin at 5 pm Central.