Box Score

DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women’s soccer team suffered its first defeat of the Mid-American Conference season on Sunday afternoon, dropping a 2-0 contest to Central Michigan at the NIU Soccer Complex in DeKalb, Ill.

The Huskies (2-7-0, 1-1-0 MAC) controlled much of the match against the Chippewas (2-6-1, 1-1-0 MAC) but were unable to take advantage of their 12-9 edge in shot attempts and 6-3 advantage in shots on goals. Central Michigan scored both of its goals in the first half with spectacular long-range efforts from Kaelyn Korte and Taylor Potts.

That slow start was something that NIU women’s soccer head coach John Ross rued after the game, but he was proud the way his team took the play to Central Michigan in the remainder of the match.

“We know what it takes to win these Sunday matches in the MAC, and we can’t have a slow start like that,” Ross said. “We played really well in the second half and could’ve had a few goals, but we just need to have a bit more composure in front of the net.”

The Huskies had success getting behind the Central Michigan defense, with Taylor Sarver (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) and Nicole Gobbo (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) both creating chances, but the ball just wouldn’t go into the net for NIU.

After Sunday’s defeat, the Huskies finished the first weekend of MAC play with three points from two matches following Friday’s 2-0 victory over Toledo.

Friday’s two-goal hero Lauren Gierman (Prospect Heights, Ill./John Hersey) also had a few good chances on Sunday and nearly scored another goal from midfield early in the second half, but her shot was well held by Central Michigan goalkeeper Zoie Reed, who made six saves in the match. Gierman finished with three shots attempts and two on goal, tied for team highs.

As time ran out on the Huskies’ comeback attempt, Sarver, Gobbo and Kate Sanfilippo (Florissant, Mo./Marquette Catholic) all saw decent chances either saved or go wide. At the full-time whistle, NIU had lost at home in MAC play for the first time since Oct. 31, 2013 when Toledo won in DeKalb by a 2-1 scoreline.

Next up for the NIU women’s soccer team is a weekend road trip to eastern Ohio. The Huskies will face Ohio on Friday evening at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT before taking on Kent State on Sunday at 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT.

--NIU--