UIC posted its third straight shutout in a 0-0 draw with Northern Iowa Thursday night.  Despite outshooting the Panthers 14-4, and commanding an 8-2 edge in shots on goal, the Flames could not connect for a goal.  Lauren Keiser made two saves in posting her sixth clean sheet of the season.


 
The Flames offered a preview of the imbalance in offensive opportunities within the first 30 seconds.  Two shots, courtesy of Makena Shaw and Jelena Zbiljic, went on goal in that span.  Just three minutes later, Frankie Frericks put a header on goal and the Flames were on their way to outshooting their third straight opponent, two of which were by a margin of 10 or more.

Hannah Gryzik got in for a late-first half chance and offered a nice pass into the box, which was ushered out for a corner kick.  Northern Iowa was organized defensively on all seven of the Flames' corners and did not allow a clean connection.

Open shots continued to come in the second half.  Though many of them were from beyond the box, Shaw and Kaitlyn Montague both forced the goalkeeper to make a play.  Late in the match, a flurry of shots came tantalizingly close to becoming a game-winner.  Brielle Gomez put a heavy shot on frame that had to be tipped over the bar.  That same crossbar was unkind to Copper Carriere, who hit it twice with well-placed shots.  Riley Collett also hit the bar with three minutes to play, before Gomez slipped as she took a shot that nonetheless threatened the goal.

The chances were evenly spread out amongst the Flames.  Nobody took more than two shots, but five players reached that number.  UIC's eight shots on goal matched their season high, which they have achieved in each of the last three games and five times altogether.

UIC has not lost in its last five matches.  A visit to league-leading Missouri State is on tap for Sunday afternoon.