DEKALB, Ill. – Despite creating the majority of the chances and having a significant advantage in possession, the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team fell to St. Thomas, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 13) at the NIU Soccer Complex. Ronan Selbo's 32nd minute goal proved to be the difference in giving the visitors the win.

"Hugely disappointing losing a game here at home, especially with the number of chances we created," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "Fair play to St. Thomas, they came out, played really hard and made it really difficult for us. At the end of the day, the difference between the two teams was a fantastic strike from their player, he struck it well from the top of the box. When we got into dangerous positions, we just didn't have that conviction in our finishing."

NIU (3-2-1) had the majority of the ball to open the game, but it was St. Thomas (3-1-2) who took the lead just after the half-hour mark. The Tommie kept the ball alive in the attacking third before it fell to Selbo nearly 30 yards out and his first-time effort sailed into the upper corner past a helpless Atahan Arslan (Ismir, Turkiye) in goal for the Huskies as the visitors took a 1-0 lead. 

In the 39th minute, NIU had its best chance of the first half to equalize as Katai Mukuka (Lusaka, Liberia) cut in from the left and fired a low shot that was stopped by St. Thomas goalkeeper Moritz Krenc. 

Early in the second half, NIU was immediately back on the front-foot as a chance fell to Martin Montoya (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central) to even the contest. Mukuka played a ball in from the right that came off Dasha Curiel (Rockford, Ill./Rockford East) and fell to Montoya inside the six-yard box, but he whistled a shot just high over the crossbar. 

In the 74th minute, Jose Gomez (Roatan, Honduras) tried to beat Krenc from a wide free kick at the near post, but the Tommies goalkeeper forced the ball out for a corner. 

Five minutes later, NIU appeared to get a lifeline as the Tommies were whistled for a handball in the box. Gomez stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort was saved by Krenc.

Gomez had another opportunity in the 84th minute as the ball ricocheted to him a little over 25 yards from goal. The NIU midfielder took one touch and then blasted a right-footed shot that required a diving save by Krenc to his right. 

The hosts continued to push as the clock ticked down and, in the 90th minute, the Huskies had one last chance from a free kick as Gomez fired from about 23 yards, but Krenc smothered it to give St. Thomas the victory. 

NIU will return to action on Tuesday night, Sept. 16, when the Huskies host Eastern Illinois. Game time against the Panthers is scheduled for 7 p.m.