TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State returns home to Memorial Stadium on Thursday night as the Sycamores host Youth Soccer Day against UIC. Kickoff between the Sycamores and the Flames is set for 6 p.m. ET with the game set to be carried live on ESPN+.
 
The Sycamores (1-5-6, 0-3-1) are still searching for their first MVC win of the 2023 season as Indiana State is coming off a tough 2-0 loss this past Sunday afternoon at Northern Iowa. ISU battled to a draw in the opener against Belmont, while falling to Valparaiso, at Drake, and at UNI to open the conference slate.
 
ISU will host Youth Soccer Day on Thursday night as the team invites the youth soccer community, friends, and families to the game. Throughout the evening the team will feature on-field competitions, giveaways, and a postgame poster signing.
 
The Sycamores will look to bounce back this week after struggling to gain traction against the Panthers at the UNI Soccer Stadium. ISU was outshot 18-4, including 6-0 in the decisive final 45 minutes, as the Sycamore defense battled the Panther offense throughout the match. Maddie Alexander posted six saves and Maddie Helling made a key stop in the net to keep the game within reach against UNI.
 
Carlie Jensen put ISU's first scoring opportunity on net in the 11th minute, but UNI keeper Caitlin Richards recorded the save to keep it scoreless. The Panthers outshot the Sycamores 12-4 in the opening half with ISU's Sasha Thompson, Nora Henderson, and Alexa Mackey all being turned away. Alexander went the distance in the net for ISU as the senior keeper recorded six saves in the contest.
 
Indiana State looks to snap one of the longest scoreless streaks in program history as ISU has been held scoreless in each of the last four matches. The Sycamores went four consecutive matches without a goal in both 2000 (four matches, Sept. 3-15) and 2022 (five matches - Oct. 6-20), before battling back in both seasons.
 
The Sycamore offense has been led at the top by Mackenzie Kent and Chloe Tesny as the duo have provided a solid offensive punch atop the formation for the Sycamores. Kent leads ISU with 23 shots on the season with 13 on target, while Tesny scored the Sycamores' first goal of the year against Marshall. Maddie Helling is the team's goal leader with the defender scoring on a pair of set plays early in the year, while Adelaide Wolfe added her first collegiate goal against UT Martin.
 
Alexander remains the team's top goalkeeper of the season starting in all 12 matches with a 1.24 goals-against-average. The Battle Creek, Mich. native has posted 51 saves on the season and three shutouts blanking Belmont, Louisville, and Miami (Ohio).
The Sycamores are 2-0-1 all-time against UIC dating back to the inaugural matchup between the programs back on Aug. 18, 2017. ISU won the first two contests in the series, 2-0 in 2017, and 1-0 in 2018, before falling last year in UIC's first season in the Missouri Valley Conference.
 
In the lone matchup between the programs at Memorial Stadium, the Sycamores topped the Flames in the 2017 season opener winning 2-0. Reilly Teal scored the opening goal in the 29th minute to put the first tally on the scoreboard and added her second in the 70th minute to help secure the win.
 
The Flames were slotted third overall in the MVC preseason soccer poll receiving 92 total points after a 2022 campaign that featured UIC posting a 5-2-3 mark in conference play. UIC has posted a 4-6-2 record with a 3-2 mark in conference play with wins over Southern Illinois, Drake, and Murray State. The Flames added an early season win over Marquette.
 
Makenna Maloy leads UIC with three goals and four assists on the season in leading the Flames scoring efforts. Bella Baker added two goals scored to pace a UIC offense featuring nine players who have scored on the season.
 
UIC has featured three players that have lined up in goal in 2023 with Sara Sanabria (eight matches), Trish Georgiou (five matches), and Lauren Keisler (twice). All three keepers have started at least twice this year combining to post a 1.08 goals-against-average and three shutouts.
 
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on Sycamore Soccer, visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from the both the App Store and the Google Play Store.