DePaul University Athletics
Thursday, August 27
Chicago, Ill.
6 P.M. CT
DePaul University
at
UIC
Blue Demons Make Crosstown Trek To Clash With UIC
8/26/2026 12:52:00 PM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Two Illinois programs match up in sixth series meeting
CHICAGO – The Blue Demon women's soccer team looks to finish up its first set of road games strong, making the nearby trip to UIC on Thursday, Aug. 27. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT at Flames Field, with match coverage available on ESPN+.
DePaul Debrief
The Blue Demons ended week two of the regular season with a 1-0 victory over Lindenwood on Sunday afternoon.
The sole tally of the match came in the 43rd minute on an own goal by the Lions. Sophomore midfielder Sierra Bennett set the play in motion from the attacking third, striking the ball towards goal as she was tripped up. As the ball headed toward the net, a Lindenwood defender mistakenly rerouted it past Lions goalkeeper Caroline Ritter for the own goal score.
Taking a 1-0 lead, DePaul never relinquished control into halftime and, through the next 45 minutes, stifled the Lindenwood offense so thoroughly that the Lions didn't get a single shot off through 90 minutes of play.
At the whistle, the Blue Demons walked away with their first clean sheet of the season and their unbeaten streak still alive. Freshman midfielder Carolina Capizzi led DePaul with three shot attempts and two on-target looks.
Scouting UIC
Since opening the season with a 33rd minute goal from freshman Gracie Lisota at Ohio, UIC has gone 327 minutes without scoring. Over four matches, the Flames have traded losses and scoreless ties, falling 2-1 at Ohio and 1-0 against Eastern Washington, and drawing Eastern Illinois and, most recently, Illinois.
In the scoreless scuffle with Illinois, the Flames were outshot 16-6, but goalkeeper Sidney Lazenby executed four saves to preserve the draw.
Time in goal for UIC is split between Lazenby and redshirt senior Bella Lister. Lazenby started one and played in two matches, making nine saves and allowing one goal in 135 minutes on the pitch. Lister started the other three matches, allowing two goals and recording 10 saves in 225 minutes on the pitch.
Returning playmakers from last season include Emmy Higgins, Jilly Higgins and Becca Ruggiero, who each recorded one goal last season for the Flames. Missing from the lineup are 2025 scoring leaders Riley Collett (four goals, two assists), Hannah Gryzik (three goals, two assists) and Bella Baker (three goals).
Series History
The Blue Demons and Flames will clash for the sixth time in history on Thursday evening. DePaul beat UIC in four out of five matches, beginning with an inaugural 3-0 victory in 2021. Since then, the Blue Demons recorded three 1-0 victories in 2022, 2023 and 2024 before, in the most recent battle, the Flames ended DePaul's unbeaten series record by taking home a 1-0 win at Wish Field.
Up Next
DePaul returns home to Wish Field for its first-ever meeting with Western Kentucky on Thursday, Sept. 3. The first whistle is set for 4 p.m. CT, with coverage available on Marquee Sports Network.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Women's Soccer, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.
DePaul Debrief
The Blue Demons ended week two of the regular season with a 1-0 victory over Lindenwood on Sunday afternoon.
The sole tally of the match came in the 43rd minute on an own goal by the Lions. Sophomore midfielder Sierra Bennett set the play in motion from the attacking third, striking the ball towards goal as she was tripped up. As the ball headed toward the net, a Lindenwood defender mistakenly rerouted it past Lions goalkeeper Caroline Ritter for the own goal score.
Taking a 1-0 lead, DePaul never relinquished control into halftime and, through the next 45 minutes, stifled the Lindenwood offense so thoroughly that the Lions didn't get a single shot off through 90 minutes of play.
At the whistle, the Blue Demons walked away with their first clean sheet of the season and their unbeaten streak still alive. Freshman midfielder Carolina Capizzi led DePaul with three shot attempts and two on-target looks.
Scouting UIC
Since opening the season with a 33rd minute goal from freshman Gracie Lisota at Ohio, UIC has gone 327 minutes without scoring. Over four matches, the Flames have traded losses and scoreless ties, falling 2-1 at Ohio and 1-0 against Eastern Washington, and drawing Eastern Illinois and, most recently, Illinois.
In the scoreless scuffle with Illinois, the Flames were outshot 16-6, but goalkeeper Sidney Lazenby executed four saves to preserve the draw.
Time in goal for UIC is split between Lazenby and redshirt senior Bella Lister. Lazenby started one and played in two matches, making nine saves and allowing one goal in 135 minutes on the pitch. Lister started the other three matches, allowing two goals and recording 10 saves in 225 minutes on the pitch.
Returning playmakers from last season include Emmy Higgins, Jilly Higgins and Becca Ruggiero, who each recorded one goal last season for the Flames. Missing from the lineup are 2025 scoring leaders Riley Collett (four goals, two assists), Hannah Gryzik (three goals, two assists) and Bella Baker (three goals).
Series History
The Blue Demons and Flames will clash for the sixth time in history on Thursday evening. DePaul beat UIC in four out of five matches, beginning with an inaugural 3-0 victory in 2021. Since then, the Blue Demons recorded three 1-0 victories in 2022, 2023 and 2024 before, in the most recent battle, the Flames ended DePaul's unbeaten series record by taking home a 1-0 win at Wish Field.
Up Next
DePaul returns home to Wish Field for its first-ever meeting with Western Kentucky on Thursday, Sept. 3. The first whistle is set for 4 p.m. CT, with coverage available on Marquee Sports Network.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Women's Soccer, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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/ WOMEN'S SOCCER
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/ WOMEN'S SOCCERTuesday, September 16
Friday, August 22
Sunday, November 03
Monday, September 20