CHICAGO (Aug. 31, 2023) – The UIC men's soccer team (2-0-0) continues its four-match season opening homestand Friday night with a contest against former Horizon League foe Oakland. The match from Flames Field will start at 7 p.m.
 
A Strong Opening Week For the Flames

UIC started the season on a hot note, defeating NJIT 3-1 on Aug. 24 and shutting out St. Thomas 3-0 on Aug. 27. The Flames scored three goals in back-to-back matches for the first time since doing so against Bradley (3-0, Sept. 24) and Belmont (3-3, Oct. 1) last season. UIC is off to its first 2-0 start since the 2018 season when the Flames opened their season with wins against Campbell and Providence.  

On the offensive front, graduate student Sidney Warden started the 2023 Flames season on fire, scoring two goals (both game winners) in UIC's two victories. Warden is currently in a three-way tie for the team lead in points (four) and leads UIC in shots on goal (four). He was efficient while on the pitch, scoring both his goals in 107 minutes of play.    

On the defensive side, goalkeeper Oren Asher has had a strong start to the 2023 campaign. In his first two starts with the Flames, Asher played all 180 minutes, allowing only one total goal and helped pitch UIC's first shutout since its Oct. 29 win last season against Evansville. The graduate transfer finished the first week of the season with six saves, a .857 save percentage, a 2-0 record and a .500 goals against average.

Scouting Oakland

The Golden Grizzlies enter their match against the Flames with an 0-2-0 record. Oakland opened the season with a 4-0 loss to No. 11 Marshall (Aug. 24) and dropped a 2-1 contest at Xavier on Aug. 27. Friday's match against UIC is the third of a five-match season opening road trip. Two players, midfielder Gabriel Baylon and forward Zach Townsend have played all 180 minutes through the Golden Grizzlies' first two matches, while defenseman Noah Bickford has Oakland's lone goal of the 2023 season.
 
Series History
 
Friday's contest will be the 14^th match between the two programs. UIC has a 6-4-3 series lead and a 3-1-1 record against the Golden Grizzlies at home.
 
Match Information
 
Live stats for UIC's match against Oakland are available at UICFlames.com. Friday's contest will be Soccer Scarf Giveaway Night, with the first 150 fans receiving a UIC soccer scarf. Admission to the contest is free.
 
Follow the Flames
 
For more information, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_MSOC and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_msoc and @uicflames).