Rochester, Mich. – The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team won its third straight match on Sunday as the Huskies used a second half goal from Tyra King (Menifee, Calif./Metea Valley) to lift them over Oakland, 1-0.  

Through four matches the Huskies are off to their best start since the 2008 season, when the team also started 3-0-1.

King's game winning 59^th minute goal was assisted by Kelsi McLaughlin (Greenfield, Ind./Illinois State) and Alyssa Stephenson (Oakville, Ontario).

Goalkeeper Ary Purifoy (Machesney Park, Ill./Oklahoma State) earned her second clean sheet in three starts in 2024 in the win.  

Throughout the first half of play, neither team was able to break through. The Huskies had the lone shot on goal in the first half from Lea Gruennagel (Homburg, Germany/Saginaw Valley State) in the 23^rd minute.

"In the first half we controlled a lot of possession and built from the back a lot," head coach Michael O'Neill said. "We were sloppy at times in possession, we struggled at times to create clear cut chances. At halftime we regrouped and spoke about some areas to exploit in the second half."

In the second half the Huskies started to take control.

"In the first 25 minutes of the second half we moved the ball really well and created multiple opportunities," O'Neill said. "Tyra (King) stepped up with the ball and the defensive grit got us across the line."

The Huskies' goal came after build up from the back line who found McLaughlin running down the field. She was able to beat Oakland's outside back in a 1 v 1 and cross the ball into the box to Stephenson on the outside post, who nodded it to King's feet. The sophomore volleyed the ball into the top corner from six yards out for her third goal of the season, matching her team-leading season total from a year ago.

NIU (3-0-1) outshot Oakland (1-3-1) nine to four in the match. In the second half the Huskies took seven shots and forced four on net, as Oakland was held without a shot on goal for all 90 minutes. That marks the second game this season where the Huskies opponent has been held without a single shot on frame throughout the match.

"The forwards set the tone for the defensive work ethic with our ability to stop teams from building momentum," O'Neill said. "I thought our captain Lea (Gruennagel) and Aubrey (Robertson) were great today. Their leadership along with senior captain Abby Zipse, who stood firm and held the team together in tough moments when Oakland was trying to get numbers forward. When we have shutouts, we put our team in a position to win games."

King scored three goals this week after scoring two goals in the Huskies 6-1 thrashing of Southern Indiana on Thursday.

Purifoy's win marked her second win as she recorded her second clean sheet in three starts in 2024. The loss went to Grizzlies' goalkeeper Julia Zangerl.

The Huskies will be back on the road when they travel to take on Notre Dame, who is currently ranked ninth nationally, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5.

-- NIU --