CARBONDALE, Ill. (Sept. 15, 2023) – The UIC women's soccer team (2-4-2, 1-0 MVC) emerged victorious from Sunday's Missouri Valley Conference opener against Southern Illinois. The Flames secured a 1-0 win despite playing with only ten players following a red card issued during the first half. Makenna Maloy (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) scored the Flames' game-winning goal in the second half to solidify UIC's first conference win of the season.

COACH'S COMMENTS
"The sequence that took Sara out of the game is unfortunate, but we had to find a solution. We made formation changes as needed. I would describe it as heroic. It was a heroic effort. They fought together," said head coach David Nikolic. "We're excited. Now, it's a quick turnaround as we prepare to go on the road again to Northern Iowa."
 

Head coach David Nikolic says today's win was a complete team effort ????

?? https://t.co/ciR7VZlfVu#ChicagosCollegeTeam #FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/Ty9VTWtjNe

— UIC Women's Soccer (@UIC_WSOC) September 17, 2023

FIRST HALF

• The offenses for both teams started slowly. Emmy Higgins (Evansville, Ind./Castle) and Natalie Montini (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) each had two off-target shots to initiate UIC's attack.
• At the 43^rd minute, Sara Sanabria (Wentzville, Mo./Holt) received a red card, forcing UIC to play with ten players for the remainder of the match.
• The Salukis tried to capitalize on this opportunity, launching three consecutive shots at the end of the half. The Flames' defenders stepped up, blocking two of those attempts.

SECOND HALF

• Maloy scoring her second goal of the season in the 66^th minute, off an assist by Sophia Jaime (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) to give UIC the 1-0 lead.

 

'66

GOAL from Makenna Maloy gives the Flames the lead ??

UIC 1 SIU 0#ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/UFycAt7dSI

— UIC Women's Soccer (@UIC_WSOC) September 17, 2023

• Riley Collett (Fond du Lac, Wisc./Fond du Lac) attempted to extend the lead with a shot down the middle, but it was saved by the Southern Illinois goalie.

SOPHOMORE LEADERS

• Currently, Maloy and fellow sophomore, Bella Baker (West Bend, Wis./West Bend), lead the Flames in goals scored, each with two this season.

UP NEXT
The Flames will stay on the road for their next match against Northern Iowa Thursday. The match will begin at 3 p.m. in Cedar Falls, Iowa and can be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats also available on UIC's 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).