DEKALB, Ill. -- Second half goals from senior Haley Hoppe (Austin, Texas/Rouse) and sophomore Nicolette Gossage (Moneka, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) helped give the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team a 2-0 victory over Chicago State in its season opening exhibition on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 13) at the Chessick Practice Center. 

"It was exciting to get back on the field," said NIU head coach Julie Colhoff. "It has been over a year since we played our last game, so it was fun. The group has been working really hard and to finally have the chance to go against an outside opponent is a good test and a good opportunity to evaluate ourselves. It was also a good chance to just pour some energy into it and have some fun, our group was excited (to play)."

Following a scoreless first half, Hoppe broke the deadlock for the Huskies with a goal just before the midway point of the second half. NIU doubled its advantage just minutes before the final whistle as Gossage got on the scoresheet to clinch the victory for the Huskies. 

"In the first half, we struggled a little bit, being our first game together as a team," said Colhoff. "Once we got our feet underneath us and made a couple of adjustments at halftime, in the second half we showed a little more composure and played a little truer to the style we have been working on.

"We scored two really good goals that came from collective team efforts. A great finish off a corner from Haley (Hoppe) and a great finish from (Nicolette) Gossage in transition. We had the opportunity to get a lot of people opportunities to showcase themselves, we have a lot of new players this season and it was good to see them on the field and how they mesh with our returners. Overall, there were a lot of things to build on, we will take the win and the shutout, but it also identified some things we can work on moving forward."

Along with the result, Colhoff was pleased to have the ability to go deep into the bench with players that were able to make a positive contribution on the field.  

"One positive was our depth," said Colhoff. "That is something we haven't had in past seasons and it is something we depended on today and that is great to know as we continue to move forward in the season. When we are able to make subs and they keep the level (of quality) or raise the level, that is a big upside for us."

The Huskies will play one more exhibition contest, next Sunday, February 21, before opening the regular season on Thursday, March 4 at home against Western Michigan.