DEKALB, Ill. -- The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team secured a 1-0 win over Miami on Sunday (Oct. 8). After a scoreless first half, NIU drew a foul in the box in the 50^th minute and graduate Student Sahara Zingano (Grimsby, Ontario / Grimsby Secondary) scored her second goal of the season from the penalty kick spot.
 
"It was fantastic to get the win for the nine seniors, they've given a lot to this program," NIU head coach Michael O'Neill said. "We were playing for more than three points today. It was fantastic to get the win for them. We were very good, maybe could have been a goal or two up in the first half, we looked comfortable against their formation."
 
The goal was Zingano's second of the season; she also scored the match-tying penalty kick goal in the closing moments on Sept. 10 at Southern Indiana.  After the Huskies forced the ball into the box and drew the penalty Zingano stepped up and kicked the ball into the lower left corner past Miami's Dominique Popa.
 
"Sahara's not afraid of the big moments, that's why she's our penalty taker and she's delivered already this season," O'Neill said. "She had a rough first half but to respond like that tells you everything you need to know about her character and I'm proud of her as well as the other seniors and the whole team."
 
NIU (5-5-3, 3-2-1) once again forced a shutout as Sadie McGill (Fort Worth, Texas / L.D. Bell) hasn't allowed a goal since the match against Ohio on Sept 28. NIU moved over 300 minutes without allowing a goal as they picked up their third straight victory.  
 
McGill also got her sixth clean sheet of the season.
 
"Since that first half against Ohio, we had some self-reflection and I'm really proud of Sadie for three shutouts. It's a team effort to get those and I think that Tyra (King) embodies that as a forward as well, and hopefully we keep these shutouts coming because they will keep us in any game," O'Neill said.
 
The Huskies put four shots on frame off eight attempts while Miami (4-9-1, 1-5) had five shots on goal from eight attempts.
 
The match opened with both teams getting possession, but NIU had the better chances in the first half. Tyra King (Naperville, Ill. / Matea Valley) nearly opened the scoring in the 25^th minute but the ball went narrowly over the cross bar.
 
Neither team was able to find the back of the net through the end of the half.
 
NIU controlled the pace in the opening moments of the second half and the Huskies' Abby Adams (Fort Wayne Ind. / Homestead) got to the ball and was able to draw a penalty as she was shoved from behind by Miami's Norah Roush.
 
The remainder of the game Miami drew a few looks at net but McGill was able to stop all of them and keep the clean sheet and the win for the Huskies.
 
Before today's kickoff NIU honored their nine seniors and graduate students.
 
The Nine Huskies that were honored were Marianna Neau, Sadie McGill, Amara Thompkins, Abby Adams, Jamie Ward, Madison Frazer, Abby McHugh, Sahara Zingano and Kierah Meier.
 
The Huskies will now prepare to take on Buffalo. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Admission to NIU soccer matches is free.
 
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