OXFORD, Ohio – The NIU women's soccer team (4-6-2, 3-2 MAC) fell to Miami (Ohio) (6-5-1, 3-1-1 MAC) 2-0 Thursday, as the Redhawks scored a goal in each half.
 
Miami got six shots off in the first half with Huskies' goalie Amy Annala making three saves on four shots on goal. In the 36th minute, Miami won a 50-50 ball on the right wing and Shae van Gassen scored the goal on assists from Dana Miller and Stephanie Dillon.
 
"We need to do a better job clearing and box defending, that's what it came down to today," Head Coach John Ross said. "We defended well but they got that second ball twice and made us pay for it."
 
In the 66th minute, the Redhawks' Jenn Rowe took a ball after an NIU clear attempt and scored from 23 yards out to put Miami up 2-0. NIU picked up their offensive pressure in the second half, firing six shots and four on target but Miami goalie Vic Maniaci saved all of them.
 
"We created some chances but their goalie had a great game," Ross said. "As a team, Miami played really well today."
 
The Huskies will continue MAC play on Sunday as they return home to the NIU Soccer Complex to host the MAC West leading Ball State Cardinals.
 
"It will be really nice to come back home," Ross said. "We've been on the road the last three games and they were long trips too. It will be nice to get the team back home and back to their school routines."
 
NIU will wear pink socks for their "Think Pink" breast cancer awareness game, fans are also encouraged to wear pink to the game with kickoff set for 2 p.m.