CHICAGO (Oct. 19, 2024) – UIC returns to the comfortable surroundings of Flames Field Sunday for a 3:30 p.m. (CT) Missouri Valley Conference matchup against Illinois State. The contest will be broadcast live on ESPN+, with the Flames holding their final Pups at the Pitch promotion this season, as well as celebrating Alumni Day and the program's 10th anniversary season.

MATCH INFORMATION
UIC "Flames" (5-9-2, 4-2-2 MVC) vs. Illinois State "Redbirds" (5-7-3, 3-2-2 MVC)
Sunday, Oct. 20 | 3:30 p.m. CT
Flames Field | Chicago, Ill.
Admission: FREE
ESPN+
Live Stats

LAST TIME OUT
UIC was locked in a scoreless draw at Drake early in the second half on Thursday before the host Bulldogs scored twice to grab a 2-0 MVC win. Camryn Ries had the Flames' lone shot on goal, while Francesca Faraci made four saves, all in the first half for UIC.

FERRIS IS MVC DEFENDER OF THE WEEK
Redshirt junior Madison Ferris was named the MVC Defender of the Week on Tuesday after scoring two goals and contributing to two shutouts in a 2-1 week for UIC. Ferris is the second Flames' player to earn a weekly conference award this year, following classmate Riley Collett, who was the MVC Player of the Week on Sept. 24.

SCOUTING ILLINOIS STATE
Unbeaten in its last four outings (3-0-1), Illinois State currently sits in a three-way tie for fifth place in the MVC standings on 11 points entering the final week of the regular season. The Redbirds are closing out a two-game road trip Sunday at UIC, following a 1-0 win at Evansville on Thursday, thanks to freshman Kennedy Herman's first collegiate goal in the 54th minute. The Illinois State defense also played a major role in the win, turning away all eight of the Purple Aces' shots on goal.

Three Redbird freshmen share the team lead with two goals this season — forward Eve Gricius, midfielder Eiley Henderson and defender Chloe Cline — while sophomore defender Erika Wells has a team-high four assists. Redshirt freshman Madi Valenti has played the vast majority of time in the Illinois State goal this season, posting a 1.46 goals-against average and .750 save percentage with four shutouts.

Sunday will mark the fifth all-time meeting between UIC and Illinois State, with the series tied 2-2. The Redbirds won the first two head-to-head contests, while the Flames have earned victories in the past two encounters, both of which came since UIC joined the Valley in 2022. Last year, the Flames earned a 4-1 victory over Illinois State in Normal, Ill., fueled by a five-point day (2G, 1A) from current junior forward Sophia Jaime.

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FOLLOW THE FLAMES
For more information on UIC women's 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).