UIC will finish its longest road swing of the season Sunday afternoon in Kentucky, in an important Missouri Valley match against Murray State.  The Flames and Racers are two of six teams separated in the Valley standings by just one point, with identical conference records of 1-1-1.

"Murray won their last game," 3-1 over Indiana State, David Nikolic noted.  "This is going to be an important game.  It'll be another tough one on the road."

On Thursday, the Flames earned a point at Belmont via a 0-0 draw.  It was the team's third shutout of the season, and the third for goalkeeper Lauren Keiser, who moved into third place in the Valley in save percentage by turning away all three shots that her defense allowed to threaten her frame.  She lowered her goals-against average to 1.1, placing her in the top half of Valley keepers.

Murray State enters with results in their last two matches, having drawn with Evansville last weekend.  The Racers lost, 3-1, to Belmont in their Valley opener.  Mary Hardy is the team's co-leader in goals, with two, and is also tied for the lead in assists, also with two.  The Racers have alternated between two goalkeepers, each of whom has credit for one of the team's two wins.  The pair has combined to allow 1.9 goals per game.

Sunday's match will be the first-ever meeting between the programs.  Murray State is the fifth of eight first-time opponents on UIC's 2022 schedule.

The match will start at noon, and can be seen on ESPN3.  The Flames will return home on October 6 to face Evansville.