Women's Soccer | August 21

DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team will host its 2024 season opener at 4 p.m. on Thursday (Aug. 22) against St. Thomas at the NIU Soccer Complex.
 
The Huskies opened their season on Thursday, Aug. 15 with a road trip to DePaul where they played to a 0-0 draw while not allowing the Blue Demons to get a shot on goal.
 
"I'm really excited for Thursday's home opener," head coach Michael O'Neill said. "I think one of the first dates the team and the staff look at is when we open up in front of our friends and family and obviously that for us is this Thursday against St. Thomas. We're excited for what that can bring."
 
In the season opening match against DePaul, the Huskies starting lineup featured five newcomers and goalie Ary Purifoy earned her first clean sheet as a Huskie.
 
Tyra King led the Huskies with three shots on goal, while freshman Mckenna Campbell-Turkalj had two. The defensive line led by Lea Gruennagel, Sophia White and Julianna Hill kept DePaul away from getting a shot on goal throughout all 90 minutes.
 
"In terms of preparation, St. Thomas who is a new team for us," O'Neill said. "They'll pose new challenges and different ones than DePaul. It's going to be a game where probably two teams are trying to still find their feet early on in the season, but what we are focusing on is playing NIU soccer and doing that to the best of our ability. Hopefully that puts us in good positions to be successful, we're ready for the competition and looking forward to seeing our home fans."
 
St. Thomas also enters the match with a record of 0-0-1 as they tied Drake, 1-1, in their opening match.
 
-- NIU --