SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Northern Illinois University men's soccer team was reduced to 10-men less than 10 minutes into the contest as the Huskies fell at Missouri State, 7-0, on Sunday night (Oct. 6) at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium. 

NIU started the contest brightly as the Huskies had the majority of possession and were on the front-foot in the opening 10 minutes. But in the 10th minute, the Huskies were reduced to 10-men as goalkeeper Atahan Arslan (Ismir, Turkiye) received a red card following a collision with Missouri State's Jesus Barea. 

The hosts went in front from a corner just three minutes later as the ball was whipped inside the six-yard box and deflected off a NIU defender and into the net for an own goal. 

Missouri State doubled its advantage in the 18th minute as Fumiya Shiraishi cut through the Huskie defense near the top of the 18-yard box before firing a right-footed shot past Caleb Pearson (Fort Worth, Texas/L.D. Bell) to give the Bears a 2-0 lead. 

In the 22nd minute, Missouri State added a third goal as Sergio Del Castillo flicked home Tyler Caton's corner kick. 

Early in the second half, Jared Harlock added a goal for Missouri State as he slotted a shot just inside the far post from inside the 18-yard box. 

The home side added a goal in the 83rd minute from James Jennings. The low, right-footed shot from Jennings came from 20 yards and just found the corner past an outstretched Pearson. Missouri State scored again two minutes later as Shiraishi got in behind the NIU defense and found the back of the net. Jennings added a second goal in the 86th minute. 

NIU will return to action next Saturday, Oct. 12, when the Huskies host Western Michigan. Kickoff against the Broncos is scheduled for 3 p.m. and admission is free of charge.