DEKALB, Ill. – Early goals to open both halves helped the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team claim a 3-0 victory over Northern Iowa on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 23) at the NIU Soccer Complex.
Julianna Hill (Burlington, Iowa/West Burlington),
Dahlia Rodriguez (Round Lake, Ill./Grayslake Central) and
Monica Correa (Des Plaines, Ill./Saint Viator) each found the back of the net for the Huskies while
Alexandra Devory (Ruckersville, Va./William Monroe) and
Lauren Pearson (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) combined on the shutout in goal.
"Thrilled with the win, first of the season, and a deserving performance to get the win," said NIU head coach
Michael O'Neill. "Clean sheet from Alex Devory and
Lauren Pearson, with the backline, that is something that we need to use as a foundation this year to win games, so thrilled with the clean sheet and how we defended. Nice to see the attacking players get goals, that is two in two (games) for (
Julianna Hill). Great to see our attackers get on the scoresheet, that is a big thing for us to see them produce this year and they have really embraced that challenge."
It took less than eight minutes for NIU (1-1-1) to open the scoring as cross from the left side found Rodriguez just outside the six-yard box. Her volley was blocked but right down to the feet of Hill who poked a shot past Northern Iowa goalkeeper Hailey Luedtke from close range to give the Huskies the early lead.
NIU outshot Northern Iowa, 11-3, in the opening 45 minutes as the Huskies took a lead into halftime.
In the first minute of the second half, Rodriguez doubled the Huskie advantage with the first goal of her collegiate career. Correa the ball from out of midfield and worked her way just inside the box before cutting back and finding the run of Rodriguez. The Round Lake, Ill., native slipped a low shot from around 12 yards just off the inside of the post to the left of Luedtke as it nestled into the net to give NIU a 2-0 lead in the 46th minute.
Correa added the exclamation point in the 71st minute. Correa combined with Hill in midfield before Hill slipped a ball into the run of Correa from five yards outside the box. Correa latched onto the ball 10 yards from goal and chipped it over an onrushing Luedtke into the net for her first collegiate goal as the Huskies took a three-goal lead.
Devory and Pearson combined to keep the clean sheet as Devory started the contest and made one save in the opening 45 minutes, and Pearson came on at halftime, making five stops after the intermission.
The three goals marked the first time NIU has scored three goals in a game since scoring a 3-1 victory over Ball State on Oct. 24, 2024.
NIU will return to action on Thursday, Aug. 27, when the Huskies travel to Missouri. Kickoff against the Tigers is scheduled for 6 p.m.
