EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Oct. 8, 2023) – The UIC women's soccer team (4-7-3, 3-3-1 MVC) suffered a closely contested 1-0 loss to Evansville (1-3-8, 1-0-5 MVC) on Sunday. A late goal from the Purple Aces proved to be the difference as the Flames struggled to find scoring opportunities throughout the match. 
                                                                                                                            
COACH'S COMMENTS
"This was a tough one for us because we had plenty of opportunities, and by not scoring, it made this outcome a possibility," said head coach David Nikolic. "There is no magic wand to make the ball go into the goal. We are creating opportunities, positioning ourselves well, and generating chances, but they are just not converting for us at the moment."

FIRST HALF

• Senior midfielder Makena Shaw (Fontana, Calif./Los Osos) had a good look at the goal 22 minutes into the match, but her shot sailed too high.

22'

2?? Shaw had her sights on the goal, but fired a little too high!

UIC 0 EV 0#FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/pRZzHEsgkt

— UIC Women's Soccer (@UIC_WSOC) October 8, 2023

• The Flames' offense was able to get within striking distance without much trouble. Over the first 25 minutes of the match, UIC took five shots compared to none by Evansville.
• Goalkeeper Lauren Keiser (Santa Rosa Beach, Florida/South Walton) saved a low shot from Evansville to keep the Purples Aces off the scoreboard at the 27-minute mark.

26'

Evansville was close to scoring, but 0??0?? Keiser was there to clean it up!

UIC 0 EV 0#FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/LJYNey8AcU

— UIC Women's Soccer (@UIC_WSOC) October 8, 2023

• Freshman Sara Jacobs (Johns Creek, Ga./Johns Creek) fired an on-target shot that was picked up by Evansville goalkeeper Myia Danek in the final minute of the half.

SECOND HALF

• Redshirt sophomore Madison Ferris (Bellevue, Wash./The Bush School) came off the bench for the Flames and made an immediate impact, taking two shots, with one on goal.
• Sophomore Sophia Jaime (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) consistently applied pressure to Evansville's goalkeeper, registering five shots with two on goal in 67 minutes of play.
• The Purple Aces got on the scoreboard with a late goal from Kaylee Woosley in the 85^th minute. A free kick from just outside the sailed past three Flames defenders and into the bottom left of the net to give Evansville the 1-0 advantage.
• The Flames were unable to tie the match in the final minutes, as the Purple Aces clinched their first win of the season. 

UP NEXT
The Flames return home Thursday for a midweek matchup with Belmont. The contest kicks off at 6 p.m. at Flames Field and can be streamed on ESPN+. Live stats will also be accessible on the Flames' website.

For more information on Flames soccer, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_WSOC and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_wsoc and @uicflames).