MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team led twice but was forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Robert Morris on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 25).
Monica Correa (Des Plaines, Ill./Saint Viator) put the Huskies in front for the second time in the 69th minute, only to see the Colonials even the contest with nine minutes to play.
NIU (4-7-5, 3-4-3 Horizon) led a 7-5 edge in shots in the opening 45 minutes as both Huskie goalkeeper
Alexandra Devory (Ruckersville, Va./William Monroe) and Robert Morris goalkeeper Emma Cameron were credited with three saves in the first half. The Huskies had the best chance of the half after less than five minutes as
Elle Wainscott (Oswego, Ill./Saint Francis HS) headed a corner from
Abbey Kijewski (Nobleton, Ontario/Brill Crothers Secondary) off the crossbar.
After the interval, NIU went in front with the first goal of the contest in the 52nd minute. Kijewski whipped in a corner just outside the six-yard box and Robert Morris' Shauna Gamble inadvertently headed it past her own goalkeeper to give the visitors the lead early in the second half.
Robert Morris (5-8-4, 2-5-3 Horizon) tied the game with a corner of its own in the 69th minute. Madison Sievering's corner found the head of Alyssa Mella and her looping header went just over the hands of Devory to even the contest at 1-1.
It took the Huskies just 57 seconds to go back in front as Correa scored her third goal of the season.
Abby Foulk (Westfield, Ind./Westfield) played the ball into the feet of Correa who fired a left-footed, curling effort beyond from about 25 yards past Robert Morris substitute goalkeeper Cianna Butera as NIU took a 2-1 lead.
In the 81st minute, Robert Morris tied the game for the second time on a goal from Ava Trethewey. Robert Morris earned a free kick directly on the edge of the penalty arc 22 yards from goal. Trethewey stepped up to take the free kick and scored as the shot went around the wall and off the hands of Devory to level the match again.
Genevieve Wilson (Lake Geneva, Wis./Badger) nearly gave the Huskies a dramatic win in the final seconds as her long-distance, dipping shot looked to be heading into the upper corner before Butera was able to scramble it away as the Huskies and Colonials were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.
With the draw, NIU has 12 points, three behind IU Indy for the sixth, and final, spot in the Horizon League Tournament. NIU will finish the regular season on Friday, Oct. 30, when it travels to IU Indy. Kickoff against the Jaguars is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.
