ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Northern Illinois University men's soccer team moved to unbeaten in four matches with a 1-1 draw on the road at Oakland on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 12).
Niko Angulo (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) opened the scoring for the Huskies, but hosts leveled the contest 14 minutes later as the two teams shared the points.
The first half saw few chances for either side as NIU and Oakland combined for just eight shot attempts, with just two on target, as the game went into halftime scoreless.
NIU (4-2-1, 1-0-1 Horizon) went in front in the 49th minute as Angulo picked up a clearance in midfield, glided past an Oakland defender and slipped a low shot underneath Golden Grizzly goalkeeper Cole Thompson from about eight yards to give the Huskies the lead early in the second half.
Oakland (2-2-2, 1-0-1 Horizon) pulled level just after the hour mark as Julian Kanzler clipped a ball to the right wing where Stephen Gilbert sent in a low cross that was turned in by Kinan Abdulrazzak to even the game at 1-1.
NIU had the chance to go back in front in the 81st minute as
Katai Mukuka (Lusaka, Zambia) was taken down in the box for a penalty, but the Huskies missed the spot kick.
Cayden Crawford (Plain City, Ohio/Ohio Connections Academy) made three saves in the contest for the Huskies, Thompson made one stop for the Golden Grizzlies.
NIU will return to action on Saturday night, Sept. 19, when it hosts Milwaukee in the annual matchup for the Lewang Trophy. Kickoff against the Panthers is scheduled for 7 p.m. and admission is free of charge.
