DEKALB, Ill. – A goal on either side of halftime helped lead defending Missouri Valley Confernce champion Loyola Chicago to a 2-0 victory over the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team on Sunday evening (Sept. 15) at the NIU Soccer Complex. 

"On the defensive side, it was good to see our work rate through the whole match," said NIU head coach Julie Colhoff. "The biggest thing is our work rate on the attacking side to transition faster, that is what we have to clean up. There were more moments today where we chose our better selves, than the alternative, but I think there are still things that we can clean up so that is consistent. For us this week it is all about consistency."

Both teams had chances in the early going as NIU junior goalkeeper Megan Donnally (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North), making her first appearance of the season, had a couple of stops in the opening seven minutes and junior Haley Hoppe (Austin, Texas/Rouse) also had a shot go wide in the opening minutes. 

The Huskies had another opportunity in the 17th minute as junior Amanda Czerniak (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) had a shot from distance stopped by Loyola goalkeeper Maddie Hausmann. 

Abby Swanson had a go from long range in the 35th minute for the Ramblers, but her effort was held by Donnally. Two minutes later Loyola made the breakthrough as Amanda Cassidy fired a shot from about 25 yards that was headed on frame but took a deflection to beat Donnally and give the Ramblers a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute. 

NIU had one final chance in the opening 45 as senior Jennie Nailor (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates) sent a shot from near the corner of the box just wide of the near post as Loyola took a 1-0 lead into the interval. 

Neither goalkeeper was called upon for nearly 30 minutes to open the second half until Donnally stopped a shot from inside the box by Katharine Stephens in the 75th minute to keep the Huskies within a goal. 

Just after the clocked ticked under five minutes, Loyola grabbed an insurance marker as Megan Nemec played a low cross to Aleksa Tataryn who was waiting to finish at the back post as the Ramblers doubled their advantage in the 86th minute. 

Donnally finished the contest with four saves in goal for the Huskies; Hausmann recorded one stop for the Ramblers. 

NIU will return to the road next Friday, September 20, as the Huskies travel to Milwaukee, Wis., to meet Marquette. Kickoff against the Golden Eagles is slated for 5 p.m.