CHICAGO – For its eighth and final non-conference match of the season, the UIC women's soccer team welcomed the Western Illinois Leathernecks. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, the Flames (1-5-2, 0-0 MVC) and Leathernecks (1-8, 0-0 OVC) were underway at Flames Field.
From the opening whistle, the Flames were hungry to find the back of the net. The opening goal came in the 14
th minute before the Flames sealed their victory in the 88
th.
UIC outshot Western Illinois 25-1 on its way to a 2-1 victory.
FIRST HALF
From kick-off, the Flames controlled offensive possession. Knocking on the door of the Leathernecks, the Flames recorded five shots before
Camryn Ries found the back of the net in the 14
th minute of play.
The Leathernecks were looking to clear the ball out of their defensive half, but graduate student
Elyse DeSchryver read the play, intercepting the pass and volleying a one-touch pass in the direction of Ries. Ries controlled the ball and sent a left-footed shot past the diving Leatherneck goalkeeper and into the opposite side netting. Ries' first goal of the season gave the Flames a 1-0 lead.
The Flames continued to take their chances, with
Emily Crotty placing a shot on frame in the 24
th minute that forced the Leathernecks goalkeeper Mahee-Lee Caron to make a save.
Western Illinois recorded its lone chance of the game in the 33
rd minute, which was blocked by the UIC defense.
Ajla Gradjan had the Flames' next best opportunity in the 39
th minute, which Caron made a diving save on.
UIC headed into the locker room leading Western Illinois 1-0 after outshooting the Leathernecks 15-1.
SECOND HALF
Back on the field, the Flames picked up where they left off, with
Gracie Lisota taking a shot 54 seconds into the half.
As the Flames looked for their second goal, momentum shifted to the center of the field as UIC and Western Illinois battled for possession.
DeSchryver had a chance at goal in the 75
th minute but sent her shot high.
In the 88
th minute, the Flames extended their lead to seal the victory. DeSchryver once again earned the assist after dribbling down the field and playing a slotted ball to Lisota. Chasing the ball into the box, Lisota was a step ahead, beating the keeper with a nutmeg to send the ball into the back of the net.
UIC secured its first victory of the season, defeating Western Illinois 2-1.
The full box score and play-by-play recap can be found
here.
UP NEXT
The Flames now turn their focus to conference action, as the Missouri Valley Conference season begins on Sunday, September 20
th. UIC will be on the road as they take on the Belmont Bruins in a 1:00 p.m. CT contest.
FOLLOW THE FLAMES
For more information, 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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