UIC's first Missouri Valley road test will be a short trip to face a familiar opponent.  The Flames will make the 50-mile trip to Indiana for a Thursday night match against Valparaiso.  The Beacons are the most-played foe on this year's schedule, with five previous meetings in the books.

The Flames enter play with a 1-0 Valley record.  They shut out the conference's most powerful offense on Sunday in a 2-0 win over Illinois State.  The Redbirds entered play as the Valley's leader in goals and assists, but UIC's defense limited them to just four shots.  Hannah Gryzik and Makena Shaw each scored their first goal of the season in the win.

Valpo is also 1-0 after the first weekend of Valley action.  They beat UNI to snap a four-match losing streak.  The Beacons have scored just four goals in nine matches, but have made the most of them with two 1-0 wins and a 1-1 draw.  Their low offensive output is not for lack of trying: they lead the Valley with 14.9 shots per game.

UIC and Valpo met from 2014-16 as Horizon League rivals, and again in non-conference play before reuniting in the Valley this season.  The Flames won the most recent meeting, 3-0 at home in 2019.  UIC has a loss and a draw in two all-time meetings at Brown Field.

Thursday's match will start at 7:30 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN+.