UIC will host the first-ever regular season event at the new Flames Field Thursday evening.  Crosstown rival DePaul will come south for a matchup of two teams searching for their first win of the young season.  Admission to the brand new facility is free for the 6:00 p.m. match.

The Flames fell to Louisville in the season opener a week ago.  David Nikolic made liberal use of his depth as 21 players saw action – ten of whom were making their Flames debut.  Three freshmen started and three more entered as subs.  Veterans Brielle Gomez and Yulexi Diaz were the only players to play the full 90 minutes.

UIC closed the old Flames Field with results in three of their last four matches there.  Built on the same site during the offseason, the new facility saw the team break out with four goals in an exhibition match against Central Michigan. 

This is just the second meeting between the programs, and the first on the near west side.  DePaul took the win in Lincoln Park last year.  They return most of their contributors from last season, but will be without their departed leading scorer, who netted nine goals.

The first 150 UIC students through the gates will receive a free Sparky Dragon bobblehead.