DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team took on the Buffalo Bulls on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 12) at the NIU Soccer Complex. Buffalo was able to score on an early penalty kick and then another in the second half to seal the 2-0 win over NIU.
 
NIU (5-6-3, 3-3-1) thought they evened up the game in the closing moments of the first half when a Buffalo goal kick was blocked into the net, but it was ruled a handball on the Huskies.
 
"Not the result we wanted today, and it was a typical MAC game," NIU head coach Michael O'Neill said. "Two individual mistakes and opposing teams are going to capitalize on those mistakes. A couple of things went against us, and I thought we were below par especially in the attacking third."
 
Buffalo had eight shots on goal to five for NIU in the match, the Huskies' attacking play was stronger in the second half with four shots on goal in the final 45.
 
Redshirt senior goalkeeper Sadie McGill (Fort Worth, Texas / L.D. Bell) made six saves in the match; Buffalo's Rebecca Winslow made five saves.
 
"Some big decisions in the match, the first one we felt Sadie touched the ball first, the referee said the touch was on the attacker which we felt was a bit harsh against our goalkeeper," O'Neill said. "This is life, and this is soccer, and we have to make sure we respond the right way."
 
The Bulls first goal of the day came in the 10th minute after a turnover in the Huskies back half. The initial Buffalo counterattack was stopped by McGill, but the referee ruled that there was a foul on McGill's slide and awarded a penalty.
 
Katie Krohn made the penalty for Buffalo to start the scoring.
 
In the second half, Arianna Zumpano scored after a free kick for the Bulls in the Huskie defensive half in the 60th minute.
 
The Huskies had shots from Kierah Meier (Sycamore, Ill. / Sycamore) and Sophia White (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Homestead) in the closing minutes, but they were stopped by Winslow.
 
"We've got to reflect and get ready to rebound on Sunday," O'Neill said. "The games are coming fast and there are still a lot of opportunities ahead."
 
NIU will return to the road and take on Kent State on Sunday, Oct. 15, with a 12 p.m. CT kickoff.
 
- NIU -