Women's Soccer | August 2

DEKALB, Ill. -- The Northern Illinois University women's soccer program has returned to the field to prepare for the 2023 season. The team started practice on Monday, August 1 and were the first Huskie program to officially return to practice this summer.

Led by second year head coach Michael O'Neill, the Huskies will look to build on the 2022 season where they finished 6-8-4, which was a multi game improvement from 2021.

"It's a really exciting time to be back with everyone. Summer is much needed but obviously it's a long time away from each other, so having the group back is the best thing about preseason. We're excited to integrate nine new players and get the returners back in mine and my staffs second year. There's excitement anyway but more so because of the direction of the program and us taking the next step," O'Neill said.

The Huskies are returning sophomore forward Amber Best who tied for the team lead in points and goals with 10 and four, respectively. NIU also brings back the two goalies who started and played every minute of the 2022 campaign, redshirt senior Sadie McGill and sophomore Deighton Wamer.

"We've got a fantastic group of young women coming back, more importantly I think they're excited for where we are as a program. They've got individual qualities and attributes that are going to impact the team, whether they score goals or make saves and anything in between," O'Neill said.

Across Tuesday and Wednesday, the Huskies had three practice sessions and O'Neill said those have been good in evaluating where the players are, and slowly getting the tactics in place for the season.

The Huskies have named three captains for the 2023 season, with the "three Abby's," Abby Adams, Abby McHugh and Abby Zipse, taking the captain's armband role. Amara Thompkins and Sadie McGill will support the captains as part of NIU's
leadership group.

"We know that each individual in the group has to have a voice and hold themselves and each other accountable. We've got leadership to help but we want everyone to be taking responsibility for their actions, their preparation for practice and their
performance," O'Neill said.

NIU will host its first exhibition match of the season against Milwaukee on Sunday, August 6 at 7 p.m. The Huskies will then take on Lindenwood in an exhibition on Saturday, August 12 in St. Charles, Mo. at 5 p.m.

The Huskies open the regular season in Macomb against Western Illinois on Thursday, August 17, and travel to face Valparaiso on August 20th before their first regular season home game of 2023 against Eastern Illinois on Thursday, August 24 at 7 p.m.