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Belmont Athletics
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Winner UIC UIC (3-7-1, 2-0-1)
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Belmont BEL (5-6-1, 2-1-0)
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UIC UIC
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Belmont BEL
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UIC UIC 1 0 1
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Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Flames Capture Key MVC Road Win at Belmont, 1-0

Reigning MVC Player of the Week Riley Collett nets lone goal in 28th minute to cap a four-point road weekend for UIC.

NASHVILLE (Sept. 29, 2024) — Junior forward/midfielder and reigning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week Riley Collett (Fond du Lac, Wis./Fond du Lac) scored in the 28th minute and the UIC defense was rock solid all afternoon as the Flames (3-7-1, 2-0-1 MVC) remained unbeaten in conference play with a 1-0 win at Belmont (5-6-1, 2-1) on Sunday at E.S. Rose Park in Nashville. It was UIC's first win in five career meetings with the Bruins and completed a strong opening road weekend for the Flames, who picked up four points in the MVC standings following Thursday's 1-1 draw at Murray State.

Collett's goal started with a free kick near the midfield circle that senior defender Kaysey Castro (Fishers, Ind./Fishers/Bowling Green) expertly dropped into the mixer near the penalty spot. The service pinballed around the box before squirting to Collett, who one-timed a right-footed drive from 10 yards out past Belmont goalkeeper Sydney Jones.

Sunday's match was evenly played, with Belmont owning a slim 7-6 edge in total shots, while UIC had the upper hand in shots on goal (3-2). Flames graduate student goalkeeper Francesca Faraci (Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South/Florida) earned her first career solo shutout, making two saves, both in the second half with Belmont pressuring for the equalizer.

The full box score and play-by-play recap can be found here.

COACH'S COMMENTS
"I'm really proud of the team today and this weekend," said head coach David Nikolic. "Those were two performances full of fight and spirit. We are creating solid chances in front of goal and finishing our opportunities. Riley had a well-timed strike that lifted us at the right moment. I'm also happy for the back line and Francesca to keep the shutout. Our balance and shape was what we asked of them today. This trip challenged our group in many ways, on and off the field, and they consistently came up with the right answers."

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
 
 
 
 
 
 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
  • The Flames were the lone MVC team to come away with a road win on Sunday and tied for top honors with a conference-best four points this week.
  • UIC squares the all-time series with Belmont at 1-1-3.
  • Collett's goal was UIC's first in five career meetings with Belmont (three of the previous four series games had ended in 0-0 ties, including both prior MVC encounters).
  • Collett scored her team-leading third goal of the season, all of which have come in MVC play.
  • Faraci posted her first career solo shutout to go along with a shared shutout in UIC's 2-0 win over UNI to begin the conference season on Sept. 19.

UP NEXT
UIC returns to Flames Field for a three-game MVC homestand beginning at 6 p.m. (CT) Thursday when the Flames welcome Southern Illinois (one of the other two unbeaten teams in MVC play this year at 1-0-2) to the Windy City. The game will be televised live on ESPN+. 
 
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).
 
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