KENT, Ohio – Kiyomi McCausland converted from the penalty spot in the 68th minute as Kent State unended the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 12) at Dix Stadium. 

"Tough result," said NIU head coach Michael O'Neill. "We started the game very well. The game plan we executed was working, we created good chances, stopped them from building out of the back but didn't convert. We were fairly comfortable, and I didn't feel a threat at all. 

"In the second half, our intensity dropped off significantly in the middle third and attacking areas and (Kent State) was able to play through us. Our backline and holding midfielder did all they could to prevent them but we didn't really have anything going forward, we gave away a PK and it's a 1-nil game."

NIU (4-6-3, 2-3-2 MAC) had the first chance of the contest in the ninth minute as Alyssa Stephenson (Oakville, Ontario/St. Ignatius of Loyola) forced a turnover in midfield and found Kelsi McLaughlin (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central) who cut in from the left side in the box and fired a shot that was saved by Kent State goalkeeper Leah Shaffer.

A minute later, McLaughlin forced a turnover that led to a chance from Stephenson but her effort was scrambled away by the Golden Flashes goalkeeper. 

Just past the half-hour mark, Isabel Struble (Mount Pleasant, Mich./Mount Pleasant) had a shot from distance that was comfortably held by Shaffer.

Kent State (7-4-4, 5-2-1 MAC) was credited with five shots in the opening 45 minutes, none of which were on target, as the game went into halftime scoreless. 

Early in the second half, Sarah Roy (Saint-Julie, Quebec/College de Montreal) had a chance off a corner as the ball was miscleared by the Kent State defense and it fell to Roy who fired high over the target. 

In the 61st minute, Kent State created a turnover in its attacking third and Mia Clearoux found herself with the ball near the top of the 18-yard box and she whistled a shot just wide of the far post. 

Five minutes later, Kelsey Salopek forced a save from NIU goalkeeper Lauren Pearson (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) as her shot from around 20 yards skipped off the turf just in front of the Huskie goalkeeper before she turned it aside. 

Kent State earned a penalty in the 68th minute as McCausland converted. Pearson was only able to get fingertips on the shot but couldn't prevent it from finding the back of the net. 

Shots in the opening 45 minutes were tied, 5-5, but Kent State held a 9-1 advantage in shots in the second half. 

NIU will return home on Thursday, Oct. 16, as the Huskies host Bowling Green. Kickoff against the Falcons is scheduled for 7 p.m.