Three crucial Horizon League points are up for grabs when UIC visits Oakland Saturday afternoon.

Both teams were picked for a top-three finish in league play, and each enters with one conference win in the young season.  "Our games with Oakland are always well-played, competitive matches," Sean Phillips said, "and I would anticipate Saturday's game to be no exception.  You're talking about two teams that have been in the mix at the top of the conference standings the last several years.  We are going to have to continue to do all the little things that have helped us win the last couple of matches if we want to be in a place to get a result at Oakland."

The teams played to a 2-all draw last season, running their unbeaten streak against the Golden Grizzlies to four.  Six of the eight meetings since Oakland joined the Horizon League have been draws or one-goal decisions, and four have required overtime.

The Flames topped IUPUI a week ago.  Younes Dayekh scored the lone goal and Andres Vasquez made three saves.  It put UIC in the thick of the conference standings, which bundle six teams in a tie for third place with three points apiece.  Including Oakland, the Flames' next four conference opponents are in that group.

Like UIC, Oakland has not played since last Saturday.  The Golden Grizzlies had a two-match winning streak come to an end when they visited Chicago and lost to DePaul, 3-1.  They have won their last two home matches, both via shutout.  Mikey Ketteman has four goals to lead the squad.  Noah Jensen had three assists against Dayton, and has four on the season.  Alessio Carbone has a 1.24 goals-against average and a .692 save percentage.

Saturday's game will start at noon Central and can be seen on ESPN+.