DEKALB, Ill.- The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team returned home after four straight road games and downed the Valparaiso Beacons, 2-1, on Sunday.
 
NIU (6-1-1) took the lead in the 41st minute with a goal from Kelsi McLaughlin (Greenfield, Ind./Illinois State) and extended that lead in the 68^th minute as Amber Best (Southfield, Mich./Mercy) found the net after coming off the bench.
 
Valparaiso (4-4) scored in the 71^st minute to cut the lead but the Huskies held on to close out non-conference play with their best record through eight matches in program history
 
"It wasn't one of our best performances, but we found a way today to get over the line," NIU head coach Michael O'Neill said. "Late in the game we had some tired legs and frustration, but winning ugly is always a sign of a good team. It's about if we can learn from those moments moving towards the next game."
 
McLaughlin scored her second goal in as many games after scoring the game winner against Illinois State on Thursday. Today's goal was McLaughlin's fourth of the year.
 
"I thought she was great today, it was one of her best games of the year," O'Neill said. "She was always a threat in possession and they had to make a sub to match her up better. Defensively she was also very good, pressing and getting the ball back up the field and she set the tone early for us."
 
Best earned her first goal of the season as she finished near the net after Tyra King (Menifee, Calif./Metea Valley) forced the ball deep in the box and earned the assist.
 
"Our bench was big today," O'Neill said. "We had some great minutes from them, Amber went out there and was able to get the game winner and that is great for our confidence, and hers, going forward."
 
Ary Purifoy (Machesney Park, Ill./Oklahoma State) earned the win and made three saves. Hailey Wade made two saves while allowing two goals for the Beacons and took the loss. NIU outshot Valparaiso 12-9 while both teams put four on net.
 
Early in the match the Beacons earned multiple corner kicks before the Huskies took possession.
 
The Huskies countered and McLaughlin beat one defender outside the box and slid past another in the box before striking the ball into the bottom right corner in the fifth minute. NIU controlled play throughout most of the first half but were unable to add on to their lead.
 
In the second half, the teams started back-and-forth before King knocked the ball toward goal and Amber Best flicked the ball up and then tucked it home in the left corner.
 
The Beacons cut the deficit to one in the 71^st minute with a goal from Addy Joiner. Valparaiso forced a few more looks on net but the Huskies were able to keep them from evening the match.
 
NIU returns to action on Thursday, Sept. 19 when it travels to take on Miami to open Mid-American Conference play.
 
-- NIU --