AKRON, Ohio – The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team rallied from behind to take the lead before a late Akron penalty kick goal secured a 2-2 draw in Mid-American Conference Play at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday.  
 
"Obviously, very disappointed to concede the last-minute goal there on the PK," head coach Michael O'Neill said. "I thought we started flat and Akron deserved to go in the lead. They were much more upfront than we were, and then our bench gave us a little bit more life. In that second part of the first half and the second half we created some fantastic chances."

After Akron struck first Sophia White (Fort Wayne Ind./IUPUI) leveled the match at one as the clock ran out in the first half. With six seconds left in the first half Katie Bennett (Liverpool, England. / Iowa Central CC) sent a corner kick into the box that was knocked back to Jordyn Saddler (Brooklyn Park, Minn/Robbinsdale Cooper).  Saddler's shot was blocked back to White who placed the ball into the right corner as the clock ran out.
 
"The goal with one second on the clock is pretty crazy, but that kind of gave us momentum going into half time. That led into a great start to the second half, and we were able to get that lead."

Tyra King (Menifee, Calif./Metea Valley) pushed the Huskies ahead just two minutes into the second half after the Zips goalie Sara Bower attempted to clear the ball and kicked it right to King. King took a few strides towards the box and rocketed the ball past Bower and into the top of the net.
 
"I think Tyra will probably be upset that she didn't have two or three today," O'Neill said. "I'm happy for her, for getting back to scoring goals. I think it's been five games since she saw the last one. I know she had a few in the bank to start the year, but we need her to step up each and every game moving forward and continue to put opponents under pressure from an attacking standpoint."

Akron drew a penalty with 1:12 remaining in the match and Katie Stafford scored the goal.
 
NIU (7-4-4, 1-3-3 MAC) outshot Akron (5-5-4, 0-5-2 MAC) 19-15 and recorded nine shots on goal to the Zips' six. Ary Purifoy (Machesney Park, Ill./Oklahoma State) made four saves and allowed two goals in the match. Bower made seven saves and allowed two goals.
 
King's goal marked her seventh of the year, the most for a Huskie since Haley Hoppe scored seven in 2021. Sophia White earned her first goal and Saddler earned her first assist of 2024.
 
Akron went in front with an 11^th minute goal from Katie Stafford. NIU fought back before White leveled the match as it went to halftime.
 
In the second half, King immediately pushed NIU ahead after a turnover deep in Zips territory.
 
Akron created opportunities late before drawing the penalty and tying the match with 1:12 remaining.
 
The Huskies are back in action at the NIU Soccer Complex on Friday, Oct. 18 against Eastern Michigan. The match will kickoff at 1 p.m., admission to NIU Soccer is always free.
 
-- NIU --