DEKALB, Ill. – Kelsi McLaughlin (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central) scored the lone goal in the 16th minute as the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team defeated Western Michigan, 1-0, on Thursday night (Oct. 9) at the NIU Soccer Complex. 

Alyssa Stephenson (Oakville, Ontario/St. Ignatius of Loyola) provided the assist on McLaughlin's winner as the Huskies snapped Western Michigan's 29-match unbeaten streak in conference matches. Prior to tonight, the Broncos' last conference loss came on Oct. 23, 2022, at Ohio, 3-2. 

"Super proud of the effort," said NIU head coach Michael O'Neill. "From the first minute to the last kick of the game, we were prepared for the battle. A young team missing some pieces tonight, I thought we were amazing in every phase of the game. Worked together, fought together, had good quality in moments to create chances against a really, really good team. Couldn't be prouder of the group, especially after such a tough loss on Sunday. The response means everything to me and the staff, great result."

Lauren Pearson (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) was called into action for the first time in the 14th minute and made an outstanding save down to her left. Western Michigan clipped the ball in behind the NIU defense, and a low cross found Drew Martin for a shot from about 12 yards, but Pearson was quick to react and make the stop. 

Two minutes later the Huskies were in front through McLaughlin's first goal of the season. McLaughlin and Stephenson played a one-two down the right wing before Stephenson found McLaughlin with a low cross just inside the box. The senior forward took a touch before firing a left-footed effort inside the far post past Reagan Sulaver to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. 

In the 34th minute, NIU (4-5-3, 2-2-2 MAC) was whistled for a foul just outside the box and Martin stepped up to take the free kick that was held by Pearson and the Huskies took their one-goal advantage into the intermission. 

After the break, Stephenson went close for the Huskies with a shot from distance in the 53rd minute that had Sulaver at full stretch but just whistled over the crossbar. 

Tyra King (Menifee, Calif./Metea Valley) then had a chance to give NIU a second as she latched on to a ball from Zoe Mclauchlan (Gatineau, Quebec/Collège Nouvelles Frontières) and flicked the ball over Sulaver toward an empty net before a Bronco defense recovered to scramble the ball away. 

Western Michigan (9-3-1, 5-1-1 MAC) had some chances from headers off free kicks and corner kicks, most of which were off target, including one from Ava Beckett in the 73rd minute.

In the 81st minute, the Broncos had a free kick near the corner and played it short for Martin in space near the top of the box. She unleashed a shot that was blocked by Pearson and gathered at the second attempt as the Huskies held on for the 1-0 victory. 

Pearson made six saves in goal for the Huskies while earning her third shutout of the season. 

"Super proud of the two freshmen (Mckayla Harsley and Elle Wainscott), led by a couple of seniors, Sophia (White) and (Jordyn) Saddler," O'Neill said of his backline. "I thought Lauren Pearson was fantastic coming out collecting crosses and dealing with the pressure (Western Michigan) was building. 

"And Lauren (Mrugala) who is the shield to everything we do. She protects that backline and today she won so many balls, you have to know the game to see what she does because it doesn't look great, but she picks up so many loose balls and tonight she stifled them. We were able to transition from her winning those balls."

NIU will return to action on Sunday, Oct. 12, as the Huskies travel to Kent State. Kickoff against the Golden Flashes is slated for 12 p.m. CT.