DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team dropped a 3-0 decision to Central Michigan on Sunday afternoon (March 21) at the NIU Soccer Complex. Jaelyn Dobrowolski, Samantha Kaye-Toral and Chesney Wargo all found of the back of the net for the Chippewas. 

"Credit to Central Michigan, they capitalized on the mistakes that we made, although we gifted them a couple," said NIU women's soccer head coach Julie Colhoff. "I was pleased with the workrate that we had, but tactically and technically we didn't execute properly. We would work really hard to force a turnover, win it, and then give it right back, you can't sustain that for a full 90-minute match."

NIU (1-4-0, 1-4-0 MAC) had the first shot of the contest as freshman Abby Adams (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) tested Central Michigan goalkeeper Allison LaPoint just 60 seconds into the contest. 

Just past the quarter-hour mark Central Michigan (4-1-0, 4-1-0 MAC) went in front. A turnover at the back by the Huskies fell to Natalie Belsito, her shot was stopped by NIU junior goalkeeper Julia Lentz (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) but she was unable to hold it and the rebound was pounced on by Dobrowolski who finished from close range to give the Chippewas a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute.

Four minutes from halftime Central Michigan doubled its lead. Maria Kaschalk dribbled into the box and to the goal line before firing the ball across the face of goal. After slipping past a pair of players, the ball found Kaye-Toral who was all alone and finished past Lentz to give the Chippewas a 2-0 advantage. 

After the break, CMU continued to apply pressure as Dobrowolski had a pair of shots saved by NIU senior goalkeeper Megan Donnally (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North), who came on to start the second half, while Lauren DeBeau and Amanda Britain were also stopped by Donnally.

The Chippewas added a third goal in the 77th minute when a low cross from the right side made its way into the six-yard box. NIU attempted to clear it but the clearance found Wargo who finished from just outside the six-yard box, giving Central Michigan a three-goal lead. 

Donnally finished with five saves for the Huskies, Lentz also made one stop for NIU while LaPoint recorded one save for Central Michigan. 

NIU will begin the second half of the season next Sunday, March 28, when the Huskies host Toledo. Kickoff against the Rockets is scheduled for 4 p.m.