FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team held a 21-2 advantage in shots but was unable to break the deadlock as the Huskies settled for a 0-0 draw against the Mastodons on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 1) at the Hefner Soccer Complex.
The Huskies forced seven saves from Purdue Fort Wayne goalkeeper Aimee Abraham and did not allow a shot in the second half of the contest. NIU goalkeeper
Alexandra Devory (Ruckersville, Va./William Monroe) picked up her second consecutive shutout, and third overall of the season.
"Disappointed with the result," said NIU head coach
Michael O'Neill. "We created enough chances and built enough momentum in the second half to leave with the three points. Positives were the defensive effort, not conceding a shot on goal and Alex (Devory) not making a save for the second game in a row. That speaks volumes to the defensive unit and how they are keeping us very secure in quite transitional games."
NIU (2-5-3, 1-2-1 Horizon) controlled the majority of the contest and nearly opened the scoring in the 28th minute when
Abbey Kijewski (Nobleton, Ontario/Brill Crothers Secondary) hit a shot from distance that rattled the crossbar before being scrambled away for a corner by the Purdue Fort Wayne defense.
The lone shot on target for either side in the first half came in the 41st minute from
Jordin Kadiri (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) as Abraham made the stop for the hosts.
NIU was on the front-foot right away to start the second half as
Mckenna Campbell-Turkalj (Kitchener, Ontario/Resurrection Catholic) forced a save from Abraham just 30 seconds into the second 45 minutes.
The Huskies earned a free kick in a dangerous position 10 minutes later.
Monica Correa (Des Plaines, Ill./Saint Viator) stepped up to take it for NIU, but she fired high of the target.
NIU continued to push entering the final minutes as
Elle Wainscott's (Oswego, Ill./Saint Francis HS) looping, long distance effort was palmed away by Abraham in the 81st minute
Four minutes later, the Huskies were awarded a free kick for a foul right on the edge of the box. From the free kick, Correa had another opportunity but once again Abraham was able to make the save. The visitors had one last chance in the 89th minute as Campbell-Turkalj fired a shot from the top of the 18 that was just off target as the Huskies and Mastodons played out the final moments of a 0-0 draw.
The Huskies will be on the road again on Sunday, Oct. 4, when they travel to Cleveland State. Kickoff against the Vikings is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.
