IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team played its first preseason game of the season on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 7) as it traveled to Iowa. The Huskies and Hawkeyes played three, 30-minute periods as each team got its first look at outside competition this fall. 

"There are loads of positives that we can take from today and the workout we got against a Power 5 school in Iowa," said NIU head coach Michael O'Neill. "We were competitive, and we got everyone on the field, which is a huge positive. All the girls worked extremely hard, there were definitely positive signs from the work we had done in the week, the first week of preseason, we saw some things come to fruition even this early on, which is great. 

"Everyone remains healthy, even though we have some very sore legs and bodies, but everyone is healthy, which is another positive. It was a game where both teams were in it, it was competitive, and it was a great workout."

The opportunity to get everyone on the field has given O'Neill and his staff the chance to further evaluate the team and it heads into the second week of preseason. 

"Now we have film and things we can work on and analyze from today's game," said O'Neill. "We feel like we are going to be more prepared and target some key areas of our game now, defending and attacking, that is going to be our M.O. this week as we prepare for Wisconsin. Now we have some things to go off, some things we need to prioritize."

With a first-year head coach, opportunities such as today's exhibition take on additional importance as players and coaches alike learn to work together. 

"In our program, everything is brand new, literally, so the growth will probably be expedited based on where we are as a program," said O'Neill. "Learning how to play with each other, how I'm coaching, the staff, how we manage the game. There will be a ton of growth and the more experience we get before the first game will be a huge benefit to everyone."

The Huskies will be back in action for their final exhibition on Friday, Aug. 12, as they travel north to meet Wisconsin. Game time against the Badgers is slated for 5 p.m.