ATHENS, Ohio – The NIU women's soccer team (4-5-2, 3-1 MAC) beat the Ohio Bobcats (2-8-1, 0-4 MAC) 2-1 Sunday afternoon behind two goals from Taylor Sarver and ten saves by Amy Annala.

Sarver (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) found her way back on the score sheet, notching her fifth and sixth goals of the season in the first half. Both goals were scored by Sarver using her speed and getting behind the defense on counter attacks.

Annala (Oswego, Ill./Oswego) saw six shots from Ohio in the first half but only needed to make three saves. The Bobcats really brought the pressure in the second half, taking 11 shots with Annala making seven saves, including a penalty kick attempt in the 83^rd minute.

"Amy was outstanding today and she has been all year," Head Coach John Ross said. "She leads and organizes our defense and our defense works hard to not put her in bad situations."

Ohio scored their goal right after the penalty kick, as the kick taker, Remi Eades, got her own rebound and put it in the back of the net to cut the NIU lead to 2-1.

The game was physical from the outset as NIU committed nine fouls in the first half and three in the second half with Sarver and Jess Wooldridge (Center Point, Iowa/Center Point-Urbana) each receiving a yellow card.

"Today was a hard fought win, Ohio is a strong team and to get three points on the road is huge for us," Ross said. "Both teams were physical and it was good for our team to match their intensity on their home field."

The Huskies will play one more road match next week as they will face Miami (Ohio) on Thursday before returning home to face Ball State next Sunday.