DEKALB – The NIU women's soccer team (4-7-4, 3-3-2 MAC) played their second straight double overtime game Sunday against Buffalo (6-7-3. 3-4-1 MAC), finishing in a scoreless draw.
 
Prior to the start of the game, seniors Alex Elias, Haley Cummings, Jackie Wandt and Jess Wooldridge were honored with an on field ceremony.
 
Buffalo jumped out to control possession early in the first half, totaling seven shots and six corner kicks overall in the first 45 minutes. NIU Head Coach John Ross believed that the senior day celebration played a factor early on.
 
"With it being senior day, there are naturally a lot of emotions spent before the game so it took us about the first 15 to get our legs going," Ross said.
 
The Huskies picked up their play in the second half, outshooting Buffalo 5-4 but both teams were unable to find the back of the net. Both goalies held strong as NIU's Amy Annala made four saves and Laura Dougall made three for the Bulls.
 
The physicality picked up late in the game as both teams combined for 29 fouls, 24 after halftime, and four yellow cards, all in the second half or overtime.
 
"Buffalo is very committed and a hard working team, both teams challenged for everything and when both teams play like that it's going to be physical, it was a good game," Ross said.
 
NIU now has three road games remaining, starting Thursday as they take on Toledo then finishing up with games next Sunday at Bowling Green and Thursday, Oct. 27 at Western Michigan. The game against Toledo can be seen on ESPN3.com at 3 p.m. central on Thursday.