At long last, UIC will return to Flames Field Sunday afternoon.

Counting an exhibition and an off-site home game, the Flames have played eight straight on the road since August 10.  When Northern Kentucky visits for a 1 pm kickoff, it will mark the first regular season match on the pitch since April 5.

"It means a lot to be at home on Flames Field, finally, with fans and in our home city of Chicago," said sophomore midfielder Makena Shaw.  "We are all very excited to have a real home game in our fall season.  The team and I are definitely ready to complete with NKU, who cost us the chance to play in the Horizon League finals last year."

The rivalry between the Flames and Norse has intensified in recent years.  They have met in each of the last two Horizon League semifinal rounds, with both teams ending the other's season once.

Northern Kentucky opened up Horizon League play with a 1-0 win over Detroit Mercy, making it two straight wins overall.  They have not lost in their last four matches, and have allowed only one goal in that span.  Sofia Wilmes is the lone Norse with multiple goals on the campaign.  Five other players have one goal each.  Mimi Stines has a 1.14 goals-against average and a .757 save percentage.

The Flames started the road trip with encouraging results.  They held Wake Forest to an 85^th minute goal in a 1-0 loss, and played Minnesota to a 0-0 draw.  Until Friday night, the Demon Deacons were undefeated and had scored at least two goals against every team they played, except UIC.  Only #7 Virginia got a result against them.  The Golden Gophers have yet to allow a goal this season, and are unbeaten at 4-0-3.

But from then, struggles arose as the team dropped consecutive 3-0 decisions to DePaul and Penn.  The Flames' defense stepped up in the last three matches, but the offense is still looking for a breakthrough.  They did set season highs in shots and shots on goal in consecutive games before a 2-0 setback at Purdue Fort Wayne Thursday.

Admission to Sunday's match is free, though fans are expected to abide by UIC's outdoor event masking policy.  Live coverage on ESPN+, uicflames.com, and @UIC_WSOC on Twitter is available via the links in the blue box above.