CHICAGO – On a night that presented less-than-ideal playing conditions, the UIC women's soccer team (4-6-2, 2-1-0 HL) came out on the winning side of a 2-0 final against Green Bay (0-9-1, 0-3-0 HL) Wednesday at Flames Field. The victory extended the Flames win streak to a program-best three games as they additionally posted their second-straight shutout.
 
Rebeca Pallo and Olivia Everin put the win away with goals scored in the first half, as Pallo picked up her fourth game-winning goal of the season and became the first UIC player to garner five goals in a season. Emily Wauer and Jasmin Carrera additionally contributed with assists.
 
"Tonight was a night where our ladies had to not only deal with our opponent but we had to learn to deal with the conditions and elements," said head coach Brian Rigby. "We played a good first half and were able to get to halftime with a two-goal lead. The second half forced both teams to change their tactical game plan as the conditions and the field became more difficult to try and keep the ball on the ground. Our women battled and fought and did what was needed to preserve the three points. We are extremely proud of how they managed the game."
 
For the first time in the last four games, UIC was held to less than 10 shots as it was allotted eight with five on goal. Everin and Wauer had two attempts each, with Pallo, Carrera, Emily Valentine and Bekah Allen adding to the total.
 
Kelly Fritz garnered her second win on the year and second shutout as she needed to make just two saves in the match as the defense kept the Phoenix to seven shot attempts.
 
The opening half of the first 45 minutes came with both sides battling for possession and being held without a shot before the Flames' efforts broke open in the 21st minute with a header from Valentine and a shot on goal from Everin.
 
UIC came away with the lead in the 24th minute as Wauer carried the ball down the left side before passing it off to Carrera, who tapped it to Pallo and put it away for her fifth goal of the season.
 
In the 32nd minute, Everin dribbled the ball down the middle of the field before she took a shot just inside the 18 that hooked into the back of the net for her second goal of the year. Three more shots followed for the Flames in the half with one on target from Carrera.
 
The field began to take a beating after torrential rain at halftime, making it difficult for either team to connect their passes and create quality chances as there were a combined six shots in the half.
 
Wauer earned UIC's lone shot of the second half five minutes in as she took a swipe that was saved, as Fritz came up with her first stop of the game one minute later.
 
Green Bay was positioned with a free kick just outside the 18 in the 60th minute that forced Fritz to make her second save, before a replicated free kick came 10 minutes later that was sent wide of the net. It would be the last chance of the game for the Phoenix as the Flames took control in the final 20 minutes.
 
UIC will hit the road as it continues Horizon League play in Rochester, Mich., with a 6 p.m. CT kickoff Saturday against Oakland at the Oakland Soccer Field.