TOLEDO, Ohio – Kierah Meier (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) opened the scoring and Reegan Kingpavong (Rockford, Ill./Guilford) added a goal and an assist as the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team claimed a 2-0 victory over Toledo on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 25) at Paul Hotmer Field. 

Deighton Wamer (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) picked up her third shutout of the season as the Huskies earned their fourth road win in five trips away from home this season, improving to 4-3-2 overall, 1-1 in league play. 

"Obviously I'm delighted with the result and really proud of the girls' efforts to get the win," said NIU head coach Michael O'Neill. "We knew Toledo would be a tough opponent. Western (Michigan) was a great rehearsal (for today), we knew it would be a continuation of Thursday night. The girls worked hard, I think we won the physical battle in central areas, which can swing the game one way or the other. 

"We showed some really good quality. We spoke about when we get in the attacking third not to panic, not to rush and we really stepped up in the attacking third. Reegan (Kingpavong) with some great quality, the assist to Kierah (Meier), her first game back in five games. Then Reegan's quality after a great 1-v-1 play by Jamie (Ward) and a great finish by Reegan, so we leave with a win and three points."

Toledo (1-5-3, 0-1-1 MAC) had the first look at goal in the ninth minute off a corner as Morgan Otteson got a head to the ball at the back post but redirected it wide. Two minutes later, NIU was dangerous from a corner as Claudia Muessig (Paw Paw, Mich./Paw Paw) played the ball inside the six-yard box where he bobbled around before being scrambled away by the Rockets.  

In the 25th minute, Meghan Finley (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington South) had a chance to open the scoring for NIU as a long throw was flicked on by Abby Zipse (Batavia, Ill./Batavia) to Finley alone at the back post, but Finley's volley attempt was collected by Toledo goalkeeper Karson Hill.  

Four minutes before halftime the Huskies broke the deadlock through Meier. Kingpavong collected the ball in midfield and played it into the space in behind the Toledo defense for the run of Meier who latched onto it, moved into the box, and slotted a shot into the corner past Hill to give NIU a 1-0 lead just before halftime. 

Two minutes later, the Huskies had another chance as Jamie Ward (Cherry Valley, Ill./Rockford East) squared to Kingpavong for a shot from just outside the box that went wide as NIU took a one-goal lead into the intermission. 

That same duo connected early after the interval as Kingpavong added a second for the Huskies in the 52nd minute. Ward got down the endline on the right side and sent a cross back toward the penalty spot where Kingpavong found space and fired a first-time shot into the back of the net to double the NIU advantage. 

Two minutes later, Toledo had a chance from near the top of the box through Olivia Dault that was beaten away by Wamer. Sissy Novak then had a header off a corner for the Rockets that was held by the Huskie freshman goalkeeper. 

On the hour mark, Madison Looby (Saginaw, Mich./Nouvel Catholic Central) found Katie Bennett (Liverpool, England/Carmel Sixth Form) at the top of the box, but Bennett fired wide as the Huskies looked for a third. 

Still trailing by a pair, Grace Turski had a chance for Toledo off a corner in the 75th minute as she rose above the crowd on the top of the six-yard box, but she could not keep her header down as it went harmlessly over the bar. Three minutes later, Otteson had a shot from distance that was comfortably held by Wamer as she earned the clean sheet. 

"Lots of girls came on and played big minutes who haven't played many minutes prior to this game," said O'Neill. "Katie Bennett was fantastic, Madison Frazer fantastic, Meghan Finley played her role and did everything we asked of her and Kierah (Meier) coming back from her injury was fantastic to see."

Wamer was credited with six saves in the contest for NIU; Hill made one save in goal for Toledo as NIU earned its second consecutive road win against the Rockets.  

"Deighton was great," said O'Neill. "We had a conversation since Thursday and asked her to be more decisive and she did some great things today. Also, and she would be the first to tell you, our backline was really good today. Jordyn (King) and Kylee (Hermeyer), best I've seen them play all year. Amara (Thompkins) and Abby (Adams), and Lea (Gruennagel) came on as well and did a fantastic job on their right-sided player, who is a massive threat and goal scorer for them."

Next week, the Huskies will travel to Ball State on Thursday, Sept. 29, for a 3 p.m. CT kickoff against the Cardinals before returning home on Sunday, Oct. 2, to host Central Michigan. Game time against the Chippewas is set for 1 p.m.