EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team (2-2-2) were able to secure a 1-1 draw against the University of Southern Indiana on Sunday in Evansville with a late goal.
 
After USI (1-5-2) led in the late moments of the match, Abby McHugh (Wauconda, Ill./Wauconda) drove past multiple Screaming Eagle defenders as the clock ticked past five minutes remaining. As McHugh entered the USI box, she was taken down by USI's Brynn Quick.
 
"Abby (McHugh) really shined in that moment she wanted the ball and stepped up. She took the game over in the attacking third and got us back in the game by drawing that penalty kick," head coach Michael O'Neill said.
 
Sahara Zingano (Grimsby Ontario/Grimsby Secondary) then stepped up to the spot and kicked the ball right into the lower left corner of the net as USI's goalie Anna Markland dove the wrong way as the Huskies evened the contest. The Huskie's first goal would be the last of the game and the match remained at one a piece for the final 4:51.
 
"We had seen enough from Sahara in practice when we've practiced penalties. Another fifth-year senior who isn't afraid of that stage, and she delivered in that moment," O'Neill said.
With 28:40 to play, USI's Lydia Bordfeld fired a shot off the crossbar which rebounded back into play and was kicked past a diving McGill by Avery Schone.
 
NIU was able to get chances in front of the net late in the match, leading up to the penalty drawn by McHugh.
 
"When the goal was conceded, I felt the response was a positive one from us," O'Neill said.
 
The Huskies goalkeeper Sadie McGill (Fort Worth, Texas/L.D. Bell) and USI's Markland both played well in net. NIU had multiple chances to score that were denied in that closing minutes of the game.
 
NIU's Amber Best (Southfield, Mich/ Mercy) had a shot on goal with just three seconds remaining that was stopped with a diving save by Markland as the clock hit zeros.
 
"It was a bit of an emotional roller coaster because the game was so intense and chaotic," O'Neill said. "They had a game plan that worked really well which made it extremely difficult to play against. They were very aggressive and able to get people forward."
 
NIU returns home on Thursday, September 14 to take on DePaul at 7 p.m. That match will be the final for the Huskies before MAC play starts, admission for all NIU Soccer games is free of charge.
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