CHICAGO (Oct. 2, 2024) – Chicago's College Team returns to Flames Field on Thursday as UIC starts a three-game MVC homestand with a 6 p.m. (CT) matchup against Southern Illinois. ESPN+ will carry the game live, with Scott Sudikoff handling the play-by-play duties.

MATCH INFORMATION
UIC "Flames" (3-7-1, 2-0-1 MVC) vs. Southern Illinois "Salukis" (5-2-4, 1-0-2 MVC)
Thursday, Oct. 3 | 6 p.m. CT
Flames Field | Chicago, Ill.
ESPN+
Live Stats

LAST TIME OUT
Junior forward Riley Collett scored her team-high third goal of the season (all during MVC play) in the 28th minute and the UIC defense made it stand up for a 1-0 win at Belmont last Sunday. It was the Flames' first win (and first goal) in five series matchups against the Bruins.

STARTING FRESH
UIC has fully embraced the clean slate offered by the start of MVC action, going 2-0-1 in early conference play, including a key four-point road effort last weekend at Murray State (T, 1-1) and Belmont (W, 1-0). In Valley contests, UIC has outscored its opponents, 4-1 with two shutouts (the only goal coming on an MSU PK) and has only trailed for 5:36 (between MSU's goal and UIC's response). 

SCOUTING SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Southern Illinois joins UIC as two of the three remaining unbeaten MVC teams in conference play through the first two weeks of the season. The Salukis have picked up results in their last four matches (2-0-2) and, like the Flames, they are coming off a four-point Valley weekend with a 1-1 draw at Indiana State and a 1-0 home win over Murray State.

Freshman forward Sophia Schlicklin leads SIU with four goals and nine points this season, followed closely by fifth-year senior midfielder Mckensey Bunch with three goals, two assists and eight points. The Salukis also bring a pair of current MVC weekly award winners to Chicago in Defensive Player of the Week and freshman defender Dory Latenser, plus Goalkeeper of the Week and fifth-year senior Fabiana Solano. The latter has played every minute in goal for SIU's 11 games this season, posting a 0.82 goals-against average with an .824 save percentage and four shutouts.

UIC and Southern Illinois had not played prior to the Flames joining the Valley in 2022. Since then, UIC has prevailed in both series meetings to date, defeating the Salukis by identical 1-0 scores in both 2022 and 2023. In last year's matchup, the Flames got a 66th-minute goal from current junior midfielder Makenna Maloy off an assist from classmate Sophia Jaime to pull out the win despite playing the final 47 minutes with only 10 players.

SUPPORT YOUR FLAMES
Fans are strongly encouraged to support NIL opportunities for UIC scholar-athletes through contributions to The Chicago Collective.
 
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).