YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team led twice through goals from Alyssa Stephenson (Oakville, Ontario/St. Ignatius of Loyola) and Lauren Mrugala (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) but Eastern Michigan scored two goals in three minutes in the second half to claim a 3-2 victory over the Huskies on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 26) at Scicluna Field. 

"From a performance standpoint, some of our best soccer," said NIU head coach Michael O'Neill. "We had a (Thursday) off, so we had a week to prepare. We did some good things, moved the ball well, created some good chances in the areas we wanted to get into and got two goals. In the second half, we conceded a couple of goals on the counter, obviously one being a penalty but from a counter moment. It started to feel like it's just the way it is this year unfortunately.

"We have to take positives from today but also in the bigger picture know that, mentality-wise, when you go up you have to have a little more bite, discipline and organization to keep that lead. A bit of mixed emotions, performance good, results still not what we want of course."

NIU (4-9-3, 2-6-2 MAC) went in front after just six minutes as Kelsi McLaughlin (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central) had the ball near the end line on the edge of the six-yard box and fired a low cross that deflected off of Stephenson and past Eastern Michigan goalkeeper Ella Holland to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead. 

Just before the quarter-hour mark, Eastern Michigan had a chance as Meredith Werner received a pass just inside the box and created space for a shot that was fought off by Lauren Pearson (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) in goal for the Huskies. 

Eastern Michigan (6-7-4, 4-3-4 MAC) pulled level in the 23rd minute through Olivia Sipsock. An Eagle corner was half-cleared, but Abby Parsons kept it alive for the hosts, playing the ball wide to Rosalie Takacsy. Her cross found Sipsock whose header beat an outstretched Pearson into the upper corner to tie the contest at one.

Four minutes later, the Huskies went back in front from a set piece. Sarah Roy's (Saint-Julie, Quebec/College de Montreal) corner found Tyra King (Menifee, Calif./Metea Valley) whose shot was knocked away by Holland, but Mrugala was right there to collect the rebound and tap home from close range to restore the lead for NIU. 

Early in the second half, Stephenson went past a pair of Eagle defenders before firing a low shot that she just couldn't beat Holland as the Huskies maintained the one-goal advantage. 

Eastern Michigan tied the game for the second time in the 63rd minute. NIU was called for a foul inside the box and Sipsock stepped up for the Eagles and converted from the penalty spot to tie the game, 2-2, with her second goal of the contest.  

Just two minutes later the hosts went in front as Aniyah Mack made a run down the left wing into the box before squaring to Maya Marolly who found the back of the net from the top of the six-yard box to give Eastern Michigan a 3-2 advantage. 

After the Eagles took the lead, the Eastern Michigan backline allowed just two shots by the Huskies in the final 25-plus minutes of the contest, both of which were comfortably saved by Holland as the hosts earned the come from behind win. 

NIU will close the regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 29, when the Huskies host Ball State. Kickoff against the Cardinals is scheduled for 2 p.m.