DeKALB - Absorbing pressure and creating its offensive chances on transition play, the NIU women's soccer team (0-0-1) held UIC (0-0-1) scoreless in the season-opener but were unable to get on the board as the teams drew, 0-0. Junior Amy Annala (Oswego, Ill./Oswego) recorded 10 saves in the contest.

The Flames took control late in the opening half, forcing Annala to make three saves in the final third of the period.

With UIC throwing numbers forward on the attack, the Huskies best chance of the stanza came in the final minute of action caused by a Flames turnover at midfield. Sammy O'Brien (Aurora, Ill./Aurora) took control of the ball and played a through ball to Jackie Wandt (Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield East), creating space for a one-on-one chance at goal. However, the touch from O'Brien was too heavy, forcing the ball into the hands of UIC goalkeeper Annie Dicanio.

After feeling things out in the second half again, NIU found space offensively, working and maintaining the ball on its half as it worked the ball up the flank to attack and pressure the UIC defense.

"Our defense tightened up (in the second half, but) I thought we did a good job of recognizing what they were giving us and that allowed us to play aggressive in the second half," said Head Coach John Ross. "If we were a little bit sharper on the ball, we probably could've broken out more (on the attack) but if we didn't do that, it could've led to turnovers in the midfield the way they were playing defensively."

The Flames continued to press the Huskies as they forced Annala's hand defensively, including a save on a point-blank via a corner kick in the 85th minute.

After ending regulation tied, 0-0, the Huskies had the first overtime's only scoring chance as a ball fell to the feet of Wandt on a corner kick in the 96th minute. After a first touch created space between the marking defender, Wandt fired high from seven yards out but Dicanio made the stop to force a second overtime period.

UIC responded with two chances in the second overtime but the Huskies had the final chance in the match as O'Brien worked the ball from around the center circle into the 18-yard box, weaving her way through the defense in the 110th minute. However, the ball sailed high above the crossbar and ended the contest scoreless.

Northern Illinois University will return to action Sunday, Aug., 21 at Milwaukee. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. The match will air live on ESPN3.