The Basics
The Drake women's soccer team is back on the pitch this weekend as it travels over to Chicago, Illinois to face the UIC Flames in a primetime contest on Saturday, Oct. 11. Kickoff from Flames Field is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
 
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Drake carries a current unbeaten streak of five matches into the contest with the Flames and is outscoring league opponents by a mark of 11-3. Overall, the Bulldogs post a record of 6-3-4 and sit atop the league table after four games of the conference slate with a record of 3-0-1. In their last time out, the Bulldogs defeated Indiana State, 3-0, from Des Moines. Drake was dominant in the contest and stifled the high scoring Sycamore offense for no shots in the game. Following the performance against Indiana State, junior Alanna Pennington was named the MVC Defensive Player of the Week. Pennington led the charge for the Drake backline playing 89 of 90 minutes against Indiana State and spearheading the defensive efforts to not allow a shot.
 
Drake Leaders
Eve Blakey l 18 PTS – 8 G – 2 A - 24 SH – 20 SOG
Isabella Balsley l 11 PTS – 5 G – 1 A - 15 SH – 12 SOG
Madelyn Smith l 8 PTS – 2 G - 4 A – 17 SH – 9 SOG
Angela Gutierrez l 8 PTS – 2 G – 4 A – 21 SH – 9 SOG
Addie Ford l 6-2-3 W/L – 35 SV – 9 GA - .795 SV%
 
Scouting UIC
The Flames currently have an overall record of 4-6-3 and will be looking to claim their first MVC win of the season when they take on the Bulldogs. UIC has gone 0-2-2 so far in Missouri Valley Conference play with ties against Indiana State and Valparaiso and losses to Evansville and Southern Illinois. When playing at home, UIC has gone 1-2-2.
 
Drake owns the series lead against the Flames by a mark of 5-2 in all-time matchups. The Bulldogs defeated UIC in both meetings last season during the regular season (2-0) and in the MVC Tournament Semifinals (1-0). However, the last time Drake made the trip to the Windy City in 2023, the Flames were victorious, 3-1.

UIC Leaders
Bella Baker l 6 PTS – 3 G - 13 SH – 6 SOG
Chopper Carriere l 4 PTS – 2 G – 7 SH – 5 SOG
Riley Collett l 3 PTS – 1 G – 1 A – 14 SH – 7 SOG
Francesca Faraci l 3-1-3 W/L – 25 SV – 7 GA – .781 SV%
Sara Sanabria l 1-5-0 W/L – 31 SV – 8 GA - .795 SV%
 
Up Next
Drake will be back in Des Moines for its next match against in-state rival UNI on Oct. 18, which will also serve as Alumni Day. Kickoff with the Panthers is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.