DEKALB – The NIU women's soccer team (1-0-1) played New Mexico State (1-0-1) to a scoreless draw Sunday afternoon at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. The Huskies had plenty of chances to score in the game recording 24 shots with eight shots on goal.
 
"We're very happy with getting a second-straight shutout," Head Coach John Ross said. "We just need to find a way to get the ball in the back of the net."
 
Seven Huskies recorded a shot with six of them taking multiple shots led by Natalie Yass (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha West) and Kyleigh Dominguez (Geneva, Ill./Cincinnati) recording a team-high seven each. They each also put two on goal along with Allie Ingham (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) but the Aggies' goalkeeper saved all eight shots she faced.
 
NIU goalkeeper Amy Annala (Oswego, Ill./Oswego) recorded her second shutout in as many games this season, this time in 110 minutes of play. Central defenders Jennie Nailor (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates) and Delaney Loprieno (Algonquin, Ill./Huntley) each played every minute of the game to help solidify the shutout.
 
"The more and more experience we get at reading the game the better our defense will get," Ross said. "It's not just Amy and our back line but our midfield as well does a good job of recovering quickly."
 
Annala, who is coming off of an injury suffered last season, has put up back-to-back shutouts and has not looked cautious about potentially making contact with opponents after her injury was suffered in a sliding collision last season.
 
Lauren Gierman (Prospect Heights, Ill./John Hersey) saw a bump in minutes in her second game back after missing all of 2016 going from 31 minutes against Western Illinois to 67 minutes against New Mexico State. Gierman found herself around the ball a lot on Sunday, setting up a number of the chances that resulted in the 24 NIU shots.
 
"They've been out training, running and taking their fair share of hits in practice so we're not surprised to see no hesitation from them," Ross said. "We're excited to have them back and they will continue to get better and better."
 
The Huskies' next game will be in a week when they travel to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers at 1 p.m. CT. They will play two more road games the following week before returning home to play Milwaukee on Sept. 8.