Flames fight in double overtime

Goalkeeper Annie DiCanio earned a shutout Sunday versus Belmont. ­(Photo: Steve Woltmann)

The women’s soccer team (0-0-2) played to a double overtime 0-0 draw Sunday against Belmont (0-0-2) in its home opener at Flames Field.

Before the start of the match, University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen and UIC Chancellor Michael Amiridis presented the match ball to the officials.

The Flames couldn’t create any offensive production in the second overtime, but the Bruins took two swipes at the ball, forcing to DiCanio to make one final save.

Cheer on the Flames as they host Drake at 7 p.m. Friday and New Mexico State at noon Sunday at Flames Field.

On Sunday, the Flames outshot the Bruins, 12-10. Emily Wauer led the charge with three attempts, followed by Alexis Jakuszewski and Rebeca Pallo with two each. Of the chances, five reached on goal from Wauer, Pallo, Olivia Everin, Jasmin Carrera and Jennifer Novak.

Annie DiCanio earned the complete-game shutout for the second-consecutive match and she had a personal best with seven saves.

The Flames held possession for most of the first half but were not allotted many chances. Jakuszewski had the first two shots of the game within the first 15 minutes but had both attempts blocked.

The best chance for UIC came in the 22nd minute, when Wauer was fed a pass across the box and had her shot stopped. She responded less than a minute later with a chance in front of the net but it sailed high. The Flames’ final opportunity came in the final 10 minutes of the half as Samantha Messina had a shot blocked.

Early in the second half, Carrera was taken down in the box, setting up a penalty kick. Pallo stepped up to take the shot, but it was saved. UIC continued the pressure and had back-to-back attempts from Everin and Pallo in the 50th minute that were saved and sent high. Four minutes later Tamae Douglas received a feed and pushed the ball just wide of the net.

Belmont came up with the next five shots, four of which were saved. Wauer ended the drought for the Flames as she took a shot in the 83rd minute but it was blocked.

In the first overtime period, Carrera had a quality chance saved in the 96th minute. The only other chance for UIC came in the final 11 seconds as Novak got off a shot that was stopped.