Box Score

DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women’s soccer team saw another early goal negated as the Huskies fell to UW-Milwaukee 2-1 on a steamy Sunday afternoon at the NIU Soccer Complex in DeKalb.

NIU started the contest very brightly and took an early lead in the 17th minute when Marisa Knott (Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount) scored her first goal of the season, bringing down a nice cross from Nicole Gobbo (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) and finishing expertly into the bottom right corner.

The heat meant the game was played at a slow pace, with water breaks in both halves. But as the game wore on, it was the Panthers who adjusted to the conditions. Milwaukee tied the game early in the second half when Lourdes Onwuemeka tapped in a rebound after NIU goalkeeper Amy Annala (Oswego, Ill./Oswego) saved an initial shot from Kelsey Holbert.

The match then appeared headed for overtime as both teams balanced each other out throughout the second half in a very even battle. But eventually, the Panthers had the better of the play in the final 15 minutes and made it count, scoring the winning goal when Kelli Swenson headed the ball into the top left corner of the net after Onwuemeka had won the ball.

The Huskies (1-4-0) pressed for an equalizer but couldn’t find one against the stingy Panthers (2-2-0) defense that didn’t allow many opportunities after NIU controlled the first 20 minutes of the match.

"We fought really hard. We just need to take the next step in the process," NIU head coach John Ross said after the game. "We certainly believe in ourselves and have a lot of hope going forward."

The Panthers outshot the Huskies by a 14-6 margin, forcing Annala to make four saves in the match.

The NIU women’s soccer team will now take a road trip to the state of Texas next weekend. The Huskies will play the Baylor Bears on Friday night at 7 p.m. before facing the Louisiana-Lafayette Rajin’ Cajuns on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Both contests will be played in Waco, Texas.

--NIU--