Ypsilanti, Mich. – For their first road game of the 2025 season, the Flames hit the road to take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles. With both teams searching for their first win, the Flames would take a 1-0 lead in the 66
thminute from an Eagles' own goal off a free kick taken by Kasey Castro. The lone goal would hold until the final whistle, leading to the Flames' first victory of 2025.
Looking for their first wins and their first goals of the season, the Flames and Eagles battled to a nil-nil draw in the first half. The Flames would edge out the Eagles, placing four of six shots on goal compared to three of five. In the 33
rd minute, freshman
Jilly Higgins came within inches of scoring her first career goal, placing a shot from 20 yards out to the top center of the net that the Eagles' goalkeeper made a fingertip save on to keep the score even.
Second-half action saw a more defensive game, with both sides limiting each other's shot opportunities. Then, in the 66
th minute, the momentum changed when the Flames earned a free kick when
Sophia Jaime was fouled over 30 yards out from the goal. With Kasey Castro stepping up to take the kick, she sent a right-footed cross into the box. In an unfortunate deflection for the Eagles, the ball would deflect off the defender and make its way into the near post corner, giving the Flames a 1-0 lead. The Flames went on to hold off the Eagles, leading to a 1-0 victory, their first of the season and first-ever victory over the Eagles.
Sara Sanabria and
Francesca Faraci would combine for the shutout victory in net.
The full box score and play-by-play recap can be found
here.
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
UP NEXT
The Flames return home to Flames Field on Sunday for senior day and a doubleheader with men's soccer. The women will kick off at 4:00 p.m., with the men to follow. In between games, fans can celebrate at the Flames' Kickoff Event from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Before the women's game, the Flames will be celebrating their eight seniors:
Bella Baker,
Riley Collett,
Chopper Carriere,
Delaney Engel,
Hannah Gryzik,
Sophia Jaime,
Bella Lister, and
Francesca Faraci.
TICKET INFORMATION
- UIC students/staff and youths eighth grade and under - free
- Adults/youths ninth grade and older - $5 each
- Military veterans/first responders/groups of 10+ adults - $3 each
Buy tickets
here
FOLLOW THE FLAMES
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 on Instagram (
@uic_wsoc and
@uicflames)
#ChicagosCollegeTeam
