ATHENS, Ohio – Freshman forward Amber Best's (Southfield, Mich./Mercy) first career goal, as well as a season-high 10 saves from senior goalkeeper Sadie McGill (Fort Worth, Texas/North Texas), helped secure the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team a 1-1 draw against the Ohio Bobcats Thursday afternoon at Chessa Field.
 
"Defensively, we were very tough and gritty today," said head coach Michael O'Neill. "Amber Best and Madison Looby (Saginaw, Mich./Nouvel Catholic Central) impacted the game really well going forward on the counter, but our defensive line and our goalkeeper were excellent today."
 
"Ohio was picked number one in the conference and we were picked number 12, so our point today is good. I'm extremely proud of the group's efforts, to travel nine hours and play one of the top teams in the conference and come away with a point is a good achievement."
 
After a scoreless first half, Ohio (6-4-2, 2-2-1 MAC) got on the board just past the hour mark of the match. Regan Berg knocked in the rebound of an Abby Townsend shot from close range to put the Bobcats ahead 1-0.
 
NIU (5-4-3, 2-2-1 MAC) equalized three minutes later. Amber Best ripped a shot from 20 yards out that went off the hands of Ohio goalkeeper Sam Wexell and into the net for her first career goal.
 
"When you play a team like Ohio that bombard you with numbers going forward, we know there will be spaces to attack quickly," O'Neill said. "There was going to be some quick finishing and Amber got us the goal, and we'll play with the point so it worked out for us."
 
The Bobcats nearly took back the lead in the 82^nd minute when Townsend came free in the box but McGill made a diving save to keep the game 1-1. Ohio's Haley Miller had a shot off of a corner with under five minutes to play in regulation saved off the goalline by the NIU defense, who quickly moved the ball into the Ohio third. The counterattack was broken up by the Ohio defense and the game remained tied through the final whistle, as both teams earned a point in the Mid-American Conference standings with the 1-1 draw.
 
Ohio had two shots on the goal in the seventh minute of the game. Berg put a shot off of a corner kick right off the crossbar. Nearly 40 seconds later, Berg had another chance on goal stopped by McGill. The Huskies' first crack at the scoresheet came in the 10^th minute when Claudia Muessig (Paw Paw, Mich./Paw Paw) took the ball to the top of the 18-yard box and sailed a shot over the goal.
 
The Bobcats put seven shots on goal in the first half with McGill making six saves. Ohio's best chance at goal came in the 18^th minute when Isabella Ginocchi got the ball in the six-yard box, only to see McGill fall on the ball before she could take a point blank shot.
 
"Sadie was magnificent today," added O'Neill about NIU's senior keeper who had a season-high 10 saves Thursday. "She's really stepped up these last few games. Her response after the first goal was a testament to her character and the leadership role she has on the team."
 
NIU is next in action on Sunday, October 9 at 1 p.m. against Akron at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
 
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