CHICAGO – UIC continues its season-opening five-match homestand at 7 p.m. (CT) Sunday when the Flames play host to in-state rival Eastern Illinois at Flames Field. Competing on the day prior to the start of the 2025-26 academic year at UIC, Sunday's match will be the nightcap of a soccer doubleheader at Flames Field, as the UIC women entertain Chicago State in the opener at 4 p.m. (CT). It will also be the first "Pups at the Pitch" promotion of the season (fans can bring their dogs to the match, provided they fill out an online waiver upon arrival at the facility), while fans can also pick up the official 2025 UIC Soccer Scarf to help support the Flames all year long!
MATCH #2
Eastern Illinois "Panthers" (0-1-0, 0-0-0 OVC) at UIC "Flames" (1-0-0, 0-0-0 MVC)
When: Sunday, Aug. 24th | 7 p.m. CT
Where: Chicago, Ill. | Flames Field
Live Coverage: Live Stats (no video broadcast scheduled)
Themes/Promotions: Doubleheader with UIC women's soccer | Pups at the Pitch | UIC Soccer Scarf Giveaway
Tickets
• UIC students/staff/youths eighth grade and under - free
• Adults/youths ninth grade and older - $5 each
• Groups of 10+ adults - $3 each
• Special offer for Sunday only: Soccer doubleheader will be single admission (one ticket good for both matches)
SERIES NOTES
UIC and Eastern Illinois will be squaring off for the 18th time in series history, but the first in eight seasons. The Panthers have a 12-5 series record against the Flames, although UIC has won five of the past eight matches between the schools. Their most recent meeting came on Sept. 3, 2017, at Flames Field, with EIU pulling out a 1-0 victory despite UIC holding sizable advantages in total shots (17-5), shots on goal (7-1) and corner kicks (15-0). The past four times UIC and EIU have met, it has resulted in a one-goal margin — three by 1-0 scores, as well as a 2-1 UIC double-overtime win on Oct. 8, 2013, at Flames Field (UIC's last series win over the Panthers).
LAST TIME OUT
UIC opens its 2025 season in fine form on Thursday, soaring past the U.S. Air Force Academy, 3-1 at Flames Field. Junior defender Sota Nakazono, sophomore forward Carlos Nevarez and senior midfielder Rui Reis each found the back of the net for the Flames, who outshot the Falcons, 25-3, including a 14-0 margin in the second half. Thursday's result also marked the third consecutive year UIC has scored three goals in its season opener, as well as the fifth time in the past eight years the Flames have earned a victory in their lidlifter.
SWEET HOME CHICAGO
UIC is enjoying a rare (and program record-tying) five-match homestand to open the 2025 season, the longest home stretch for the Flames since 2000, when they had a pair of five-match runs at Flames Field (one in the regular season, one in the postseason). The only other times UIC played five consecutive home matches were during the 1983 and 1994 seasons.
PRESEASON HONORS
UIC senior midfielder Rui Reis was selected to the 2025 Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference Men's Soccer Team earlier this week. Reis is coming off a 2024 campaign that saw him rank third on the Flames with four goals and four assists (12 points).
FOLLOW THE FLAMES
UIC students, staff and youths in eighth grade and under are admitted to all soccer matches free of charge, while adults and youths in ninth grade and above can purchase tickets for $5 each at the northwest entrance to Flames Field (off Morgan St.) on match night. Discounted tickets for groups of 10+ adults, are on sale for $3 each. In addition, fans can buy the new Flames Fast Pass, a one-time $50 purchase that will provide the bearer with access to all UIC home athletics events (except men's and women's basketball) during the 2025-26 academic year.
For more information on UIC men's soccer, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_MSOC and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_msoc and @uicflames).
#FireUpFlames | #ChicagosCollegeTeam
