Box Score

DeKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team dropped its last nonconference game of the season on Thursday night at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex, falling to Green Bay by a score of 4-0.

The Phoenix (5-2-2) scored three of their four goals from corner kicks as NIU (2-6-0) struggled to deal with the height and quality set-piece delivery of its opposition.

"They were very strong in the air, and that was what beat us tonight," NIU head coach John Ross said after the match. "We need to be more aggressive attacking balls defensively."

The first half saw very few scoring chances, but the Phoenix took advantage of their best opportunity when Heidi Hartmann headed in Abby Juzwik's corner in the 28^th minute.

That moment became a trend in the second half as Green Bay scored two more goals from corner kicks - by Hannah Kernen in the 55^th minute and Hartmann again in the 72^nd minute. The Phoenix also added another goal from Kernen in the 63^rd minute of play.

Juzwik finished with three assists for Green Bay - all off her left-footed in-swinging corner kicks.

NIU created some scoring opportunities throughout the game, tallying six attempted shots on goal. But the home team struggled to force the Phoenix goalkeeper to make saves as Nicole Gobbo (Bartlett, Ill/Bartlett) was the only Huskie to manage on shot on target.

Freshman goalkeeper Amy Annala (Oswego, Ill.) made five saves for NIU, and there was little she could do about the goals conceded with the amount of bodies Green Bay put into the box.

The Huskies now have eight days to prepare for their conference opener next Friday at Central Michigan. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. CT. After that, NIU will travel to Toledo for a match on Sunday at 12 p.m. CT .

--NIU--