UIC will renew acquaintances with Northern Illinois when the Flames visit DeKalb Monday night.  The in-state rivals played five times in the six years up to and including 2019, but have not met since a 2-1 Flames win that year.

The Flames will look to win their second straight match and get their season record up to .500.  Their work will be cut out for them in enemy territory.  NIU has gotten a result in each of their two home matches this year, and they were undefeated at 9-0-1 at home last season en route to the second round of the NCAA tournament.

UIC got into the win column on Friday, 2-0 against Chicago State.  Second-half goals from Pau Mateo and Josh Torres, and five saves on a clean sheet by Andres Vasquez, made the difference.  The two goals were a season high, as were the team's shots and shots on goal totals.  That offensive momentum will be necessary against a Husky squad that allows 1.8 goals per game.

Northern Illinois is on a three-match result streak, with a draw against Bradley and a win over Milwaukee in that span.  Taisei Arima has three goals in five matches, and Angel Rodriguez has two.  The goalkeeper situation is unsettled thus far, as three keepers have made starts.  As a unit, they have a .640 save percentage.

The rivalry dates back to UIC's first year of Division I competition in 1981.  The Flames have a 12-8-1 lead in the all-time series.  NIU has three wins and a draw in the last four meetings in DeKalb.  Monday's match will start at 7 p.m. and can be seen on Husky All-Access.