Nov. 13, 2008

Box Score

Box Score in PDF Format

AKRON, Ohio - The Northern Illinois men's soccer team recorded its seventh shutout of the season, stifling Bowling Green for a 2-0 victory in the opening round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, Thursday.

With the win, the Huskies improve to 10-5-4, and hit double-digit victories for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

"It's a very solid tribute to the players, and those before them, that we can have 10 wins, and be in positions to achieve our goals," head coach Steve Simmons said. "It's also a credit to this coaching staff, which is totally committed to these players and this program."

But while Simmons was happy with reaching 10 wins, he was more satisfied with getting to the semifinals of the MAC Tournament.

"Tournament play, ultimately, is about advancing," Simmons said. "We were on top of our game, as good as we've been. That had a lot to do with our good spirit in training the last week."

Simmons felt his team, which came up short on two breakaway opportunities, could've won by even more.

"The 2-0 reflection of the game, was perhaps not fair, because I thought we dominated about 80 percent of the match," he said. "Credit to Bowling Green and their seniors. They fought very had, and it's hats off to them."

The teams spent the opening 15 minutes feeling each other out, before an NIU foul yielded the first opportunity for either team. BGSU keeper Paul Shoemaker took the free kick from midfield, finding midfielder Pat Schiffler for a shot that NIU goalkeeper Joe Zimka (Algonquin, Ill./Jacobs) punched away, and the NIU defense cleared.

The first Huskie chance came in the 23rd minute, as Alex Evert (Marietta, Ga./Harrison) was fouled after splitting a pair of defenders and slipping into the box. The call gave NIU a free kick from the right side of the area, which Luis De La Cerda (Guadalajara, Mexico/Waubonsie Valley) played too long while looking for a teammate near the far post.

The Huskies got on the board with 16:53 left in the half, a Falcon foul gave NIU a free kick. Sophomore Luis Mojica (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East) lofted the ball into the box where a Bowling Green player, pressured by Huskie defender Josh Karsten (Barrington Hills, Ill./Barrington), headed it into his own goal to give NIU a 1-0 advantage.

"The own goal was a product of the pressure we put on them," Simmons said. "Any time you're defending toward your own goal too long, it presents a lot of problems."

The Huskies added to their lead in the 53rd, as midfielder Brad Horton (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) crossed to a running Danny Lopez (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Stevenson), who beat Shoemaker to score his second goal of the season.

"I'm very happy with that second goal because we worked all week on crossing and finishing, getting guys in the box," Simmons said. "You love it, as a coach, when you see training ground material translate to the field."

Northern Illinois outshot the Falcons 12-8, with a 4-2 edge in shots on goal. The Huskies also earned seven corner kicks to Bowling Green's three, a result of the pressure Simmons described.

Northern Illinois will advance in the seven team tournament to face either Buffalo or Hartwick, Friday at 5 p.m.

Simultaneous with the start of the match, the Mid-American Conference announced that three Huskies were named to the All-MAC Team. Senior defensive midfielder Drew Jeskey (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East), along with junior forward Ben Thomas (Fairfield, Ohio/Fairfield) and Horton all earned second team honors.

Jeskey has started in all 12 games in which he has played, scoring three goals and assisting on another. Horton has played in all 19 games with 16 starts, and leads the Huskies with six goals. Thomas ranks second on the team with four goals, and has played in all but one match, while recording nine starts.