UIC women’s soccer splits season’s first road games

Jasmin Carrera led the Flames’ win Friday at Morehead State. Photo: Steve Woltmann

The women’s soccer team (1-1) kicked off the regular season campaign with a 2-1 victory Friday at Morehead State but fell to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Sunday.

The Flames continue their road swing with a match at 7 p.m. Friday at Saint Louis University, then return to Chicago for their home opener at Flames Field Sunday against the Broncos at 2 p.m.

Junior Jasmin Carrera scored and added an assist Friday to lead the Flames and sophomore goalkeeper Kelly Fritz made four saves in net. Carrera’s goal in the eighth minute came off the rebound of a penalty kick to give the Flames an early 1-0 lead. UIC extended its lead to 2-0 at the 23:18 mark on a goal by sophomore Olivia Everin, assisted by Carrera.

Everin led UIC with six shots as the Flames outshot Morehead State 12-8 in the contest.

“To get the first win of the season on opening night is huge,” said head coach Brian Rigby. “We did a nice job of being patient with our possessions and it paid off, giving us the lead early in the match.”

During Sunday’s match, the Flames struck first with a goal in the second minute but IUPUI went on to score four goals to take the 4-1 win.

“IUPUI did a great job controlling the game,” Rigby said. “We could not match their intensity and when you make mental mistakes versus any team you play, you will get punished and that’s what happened.”

Emily Wauer scored her first goal of the season as Haley Kittle picked up the assist. Wauer led the Flames with three shots on the day with nine other players contributing to UIC’s 12 shot attempts, with seven reaching on goal. Goalkeeper Fritz played the full 90 minutes and made two saves, both in the first half.