March 8, 2000

Chicago, Ill. - The UIC softball team fell to #19 in the latest USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 poll released Tuesday evening.

After beginning the year at #22 in the preseason poll, the Flames reached a season-high rank of 17th last week, but following a 1-4 record over weekend at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, including losses to #1 Washington and #17 Oklahoma State, UIC fell two spots in the poll this week.

The Flames are 17-12 overall entering the Speedline Invitational in Tampa, Fla., this weekend where it will face off against Connecticut, Hofstra, Maryland, Purdue and #18 South Carolina.