Women's Soccer | August 15

Box Score CHICAGO – The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team controlled the pace throughout most of their match in a 0-0 draw at DePaul to open the 2024 regular season on Thursday night (Aug. 15).
 
"Really proud of the effort today, coming to a Big East team and going toe-to-toe with them is a good statement of intent for the 2024 season," head coach Michael O'Neill said. "In the first half, I thought we were good and nullified their threat, second half started fast but they're a very direct team and legs started to become tired. Proud of the girls for finishing the game and to come away with a shutout on the road against DePaul is something to be proud of."
 
The Huskies started four new players in the match, while playing five newcomers.
 
Graduate student goalkeeper Ary Purifoy (Machesney Park, Ill./Oklahoma State) got the start in net and earned her first clean sheet in a Huskie uniform. Freshman defender Julianna Hill (Burlington, IowaWest Burlington) played all 90 minutes and helped to keep DePaul away from the NIU net. Kelsi McLaughlin (Greenfield, Ind./Illinois State) played 65 minutes and earned a good look at goal, but DePaul's keeper Elena Milam made the save.
 
"The team is a lot different than last year," O'Neill said. "We have some experienced players who are helping to manage how we do things on and off the field, but Kelsi is going to create chances every game because she's so dynamic. We outshot them 10-3 but we didn't have too many clear-cut chances, and hopefully the shutouts will lead to wins and not ties."
 
NIU (0-0-1) outshot DePaul (0-0-1) 10-3 overall and 7-0 in shots on net.  
 
The Huskies started out quick as captain Abby Zipse (Batavia, Ill./Batavia) forced a save inside the opening two minutes. NIU controlled the tempo throughout the first half and was able to keep DePaul away from the Huskie end and Purifoy.
 
In the second half, the Blue Demons forced more of the action into the Huskie end but were unable to get a shot on net against NIU.
 
Sophomore forward Tyra King (Naperville, Ill./Metea Valley) forced her way into the box in the 75^th minute and only a diving save from Milam kept the Huskies from taking the lead.
 
The Huskies return to action on Thursday, Aug. 22 in the team's home opener against St. Thomas (Minn.), kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the NIU Soccer Complex. Admission to NIU Soccer is always free of charge.
 
-- NIU --