CHICAGO (Nov. 2, 2024) – After one of the best regular seasons in program history, UIC turns its attention to the postseason and an MVC Championship quarterfinal at 4 p.m. (CT) Sunday, as the third-seeded Flames play host to No. 7 seed Illinois State at Flames Field (live on ESPN+).

MATCH INFORMATION
MVC Championship Quarterfinal
#3 seed UIC "Flames" (7-9-2, 6-2-2 MVC) vs. #7 seed Illinois State "Redbirds" (6-9-4, 3-4-3 MVC)
Sunday, Nov. 3 | 4 p.m. CT
Flames Field | Chicago, Ill.
Tickets: $5 each (UIC students free with ID)
ESPN+
Live Stats

LAST TIME OUT
UIC last played on Oct. 24, posting a 1-0 win at Valparaiso in its regular-season finale. The Flames capitalized on an own-goal in the 71st minute (created by a Camryn Ries cross from the left flank) to clinch a share of second place in the final MVC standings.

TURNING THE PAGE
The MVC season proved to be a fresh start for UIC, which went 6-2-2 (20 points) in conference games and posted seven shutouts in those 10 Valley contests. The Flames also matched their best conference finish and second-best conference point total and wins in the program's 10-year history.

POSTSEASON HISTORY
UIC is hosting MVC Championship first-round and quarterfinal games for the third time in as many seasons in the Valley. The Flames have advanced to the conference tournament semifinals three times in their brief history, including a spot in the 2019 Horizon League final and last year's semifinal berth (via a PK shootout win over Murray State).

SCOUTING ILLINOIS STATE
Illinois State advanced to Sunday's MVC Championship quarterfinal with a 1-0 win over sixth-seeded UNI on Thursday at Flames. Field. The Redbirds became the first No. 7 seed to win an MVC postseason game, cashing in on the first career goal from Erika Wells in the 60th minute. Wells is the ninth Illinois State player to score a goal this season (three players have a team-high two goals apiece), while Wells also owns the team lead with four assists. Madi Valenti continues to be the Redbirds' primary goalkeeper, having posted five shutouts with a 1.39 goals-against average and a .765 save percentage.

Sunday will mark the second matchup in two weeks for UIC and Illinois State. The Flames prevailed in the regular season encounter, 2-0 on Oct. 20, also at Flames Field, thanks to a brace from sophomore forward Camryn Ries. 

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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).