Nov. 14, 2008

Box Score

Box Score in PDF Format

AKRON, Ohio - The Northern Illinois men's soccer team advanced to the championship match of the Mid-American Conference Tournament with a 1-0 win over Buffalo, Friday at Lee Jackson Field on the campus of the University of Akron.

"I think, outside of a good result for us, it seemed to be pretty good entertainment value for the people that watched," head coach Steve Simmons said. "I thought we were the dominant team on the night. We showed the energy and spirit that we had yesterday (against Bowling Green)."

Josh Karsten (Barrington Hills, Ill./Barrington) put the Huskies over the top with a header into the upper-right corner. The chance came in the 72nd minute off a corner kick from Engebreth Faerden (Olso, Norway/Academy for Elite Athletes), who was credited with his team-leading fifth assist of the year.

"We have a lot of warriors on this team, and that was a warrior like play," Simmons said. "Josh had to stick his head in front of other players' heads and fits and cleats. He had no regard for his body just to get himself to that ball, and that was the essence of the spirit we had tonight."

The goal was one several second half chances for the Huskies, who forced Buffalo keeper Rob Shuttleworth into five saves, four in the second half. In the 58th minute, junior Ben Thomas (Fairfield, Ohio/Fairfield) whipped a shot from inside the box that Shuttleworth stunted. Just over a minute later, freshman Brad Horton (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) got on the end of a lofted pass into the box, but Buffalo's goalkeeper was again up to the challenge.

"Full credit to their goalkeeper for keeping them in it," Simmons said. "He made some tremendous plays to keep them in the game, because I think the final score could've been three or four to zero."

Battles in the midfield dominated much of the first half, with neither team garnering a distinct advantage. NIU outshot the Bulls 4-3, and earned three corner kicks while the Bulls played only one.

Buffalo frequently played back to goalkeeper Rob Shuttleworth, who launched balls across the midfield line, targeting Bulls forwards. The tactic resulted in Buffalo's most dangerous attempt of the period, after a foul 25 yards out gave the Bulls a free kick from straight on in the 19th minute. Buffalo's Dominic Oppong blasted a shot on goal, which NIU keeper Joe Zimka (Algonquin, Ill./Jacobs) secured.

Northern Illinois played through the midfield, rather than over it in the first, using short passes to advance in to Buffalo territory. In addition to their three corner kicks, the Huskies played several free kicks into the area, but were unable to score.

The match was nearly a statistical tie, with NIU taking 11 shots to Buffalo's 10, and Shuttleworth making five saves to Zimka's three. The Huskies primary advantage on the box score came in corners, where NIU outdid the Bulls 8-2.

After the game, Simmons credited his team's drive for the win.

"In the end, I think we overwhelmed them with our energy, effort and enthusiasm," he said.

The Huskies will play in the MAC Tournament Championship, Sunday at 1 p.m. (CST), against the winner of Friday night's match between top-seeded Akron and Hartwick, the fourth seed.