DAYTON, Ohio – Katai Mukuka (Lusaka, Zambia) opened the scoring after just 14 minutes and
Vance Sheffield (West Linn, Ore./La Salle Catholic College Prep) converted from the penalty spot in the 40th minute as the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team downed Wright State, 2-1, on Saturday evening (Sept. 26) at Alumni Field.
"The priority was getting three points and we have done that, so delighted to get ourselves back to winning ways," said NIU head coach
Ryan Swan. "In the first half, we were really good and in the second half, when we were a man up, we weren't quite as composed as I would have liked. But there were some really good points, we created some good chances and there were bright moments where we did a good job keeping the ball. But certainly, lots to work on moving forward."
NIU went in front in the 14th minute as
Kevin Rodriguez (Dallas, Texas/Lone Star) fired a cross toward the back post and a late arriving Mukuka finished past Wright State goalkeeper Alex Normandeau from a tight angle to put the Huskies in front.
Just 10 minutes later the hosts were level through Keiji Nakazawa. A turnover in midfield led to Cairo Duarte having the ball to the right of the NIU goal. Duarte stood up a cross toward the back post where Nakazawa nodded home from close range to level the match.
Wright State had a chance to go in front just a minute later as Brian Burkett had a chance inside the box that was smothered by NIU goalkeeper
Cayden Crawford (Plain City, Ohio/Ohio Connections Academy).
The Huskies reclaimed the lead in the 40th minute as Sheffield converted from the penalty spot. The NIU striker earned the penalty and then stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards as the visitors took a 2-1 lead.
In the final minute of the half, Wright State was reduced to 10-men after a late challenge from Josyah Nozil on Crawford.
In the 53rd minute, Sheffield nearly added a second goal as
Oliver Benson (Bennington, Neb./Bennington) found Sheffield alone 25 yards from goal and the NIU attacker's shot looked destined for the top corner before Normandeau got a hand to it.
Three minutes later, Rowen Arnold had a chance for Wright State, but he was unable to keep his shot on target as it went over the crossbar.
NIU nearly added a third in the 75th minute as
Roman Khela's (Huddersfield, England) corner deep to the back post was headed back in front of goal by
Osagie Omoregie (London, England) where
Tomasz Slawek (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake South) was stopped by Normandeau.
The Huskies were able to see out the final 15 minutes as they improved to 5-3-1, 2-1-1 in Horizon League play. Wright State falls to 3-6-1, 2-2-0 in the league.
NIU will return to action next Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Huskies host Northern Kentucky. Kickoff against the Norse is slated for 1 p.m. and admission is free of charge.
