Sept. 30, 2007

Final Stats

Final Stats in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Northern Illinois men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 contest to Drake, Saturday.

"We played well, and had some great opportunities to score," NIU head coach Steve Simmons said, citing the Huskies' 8-5 shots advantage.

The Bulldogs (5-3-1) capitalized on a Huskie mistake early in the second half, as Drake's Michael Noonan scored the match's only goal.

"They pounced on a missed clear in the 55th minute, and that was the difference," Simmons said. "All credit to them for being opportunistic and taking their chances."

The score put the Huskies (2-5-3) in a 1-0 hole, a deficit Northern Illinois had to try to overcome while facing a brisk wind.

"Even playing against the wind, we got some chances in the second half," Simmons said.

Northern Illinois' offense was challenged, as the Huskies were whistled offsides eight times in the match, including on a play in which junior Drew Jeskey scored.

The Huskies begin Mid-American Conference play Friday, Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. when they face Western Michigan at the Huskie Soccer Field.