ROCKFORD, Ill. – Dylan Banker (McHenry, Ill./McHenry West) scored the lone goal in the 42nd minute as the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team made a winning start to the 2023 season with a 1-0 victory over Western Illinois on Thursday night (Aug. 24) at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two. 

"First and foremost, I'm so thankful to everyone that made this happen," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "T.J. (Feuerbach), Sean Frazier, the bus company. To be thinking we are playing at home and be able to pull this (move) together on such short notice was tremendous.

"The conditions were tough in here; it was really humid and really difficult to breathe. To get through all of that and get the victory was massive for us and a great way to start the season."

The first half featured little in the way of chances for either side with neither side threatening goal until the 20th minute when Kyle Owen flashed a header just wide off a corner kick for Western Illinois. 

Less than four minutes before the interval, NIU broke the deadlock as Banker scored the first goal of his collegiate career. Angel Rodriguez (Elgin, Ill./Ignite Christian Academy) whipped a corner in toward the back post and Banker rose above the crowd, heading the ball back across goal and inside the post, past Western Illinois goalkeeper Youssou Ouendeno to give the Huskies the advantage just before halftime. 

"We spent some time working on corner kicks this week, but ultimately we said, the first couple of corner kicks just get a good delivery into a dangerous place and see if someone can get on the end of it," said Swan. "That is what happened, Dylan attacked it and did just enough to get it over the line."

Just after halftime, the Leathernecks created the first handful of opportunities, none of which resulted in a shot on target. 

NIU goalkeeper Jakub Rojek (Chicago, Ill./Von Steuben) was called into action for the first time in the contest on the hour mark, comfortably saving a shot from near the top of the box from Liam Gainey. 

In the 64th minute, Kevin Kelly (Dublin, Ireland/St. Joseph Rush) nearly opened his NIU account as he got on the end of a cross and had the Western Illinois goalkeeper beaten, only to see his shot saved off the line by a Leatherneck defender. 

NIU was reduced to 10-men in the 87th minute, but the Huskie backline stood strong, not allowing Western Illinois the time and space for a shot on target as the Huskies made Banker's first half goal stand up for the victory.

Rojek made one save while picking up the victory for NIU, Ouendeno had three saves for Western Illinois.  

"We have been really happy with the team in general, and especially the new guys coming in, adapting quickly," said Swan. "We are confident in those in the starting lineup and those on the bench, we are really happy with the depth of our squad. Luka (Vasic) and Ben (Suddeth) adapted themselves very well on the backline and I thought we were solid back there."

The Huskies will return to action in DeKalb on Sunday, Aug. 27, when the Huskies host Memphis at the NIU Soccer Complex. The match will be the second game of a NIU Soccer doubleheader with the NIU women's soccer team hosting Oakland at 12 noon.