The NIU women’s soccer team had something extra to celebrate on their 2010 Senior Day this Sunday, after the Huskies (4-3-0) posted a 1-0 victory over Green Bay (2-4-2) at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex to wrap their non-conference schedule.
The seniors combined forces with their Huskie squad to dominate play throughout and give NIU its third shutout of the season.
Northern Illinois head women’s soccer coach Carrie Barker feels it is very fitting to celebrate a win on senior day.
“As we finish our non-conference season, it is great to see us finish on high for our seniors today,” said Barker. “We had two solid performances this weekend that gave us two shutouts and two wins. This is an excellent way to wrap up the first part of our season and head into conference play.”
The Huskies controlled the ball throughout the opening half, registering 10 shot attempts from seven different players. However, a strong Green Bay backline held NIU to just three shots on goal. The Huskies held their opponents to five shot attempts, while freshman goalkeeper Amy Carr recorded three saves to keep the Phoenix scoreless through the first half of play.
In the 53rd minute, freshman Frances Boukidis gave the Huskies a 1-0 lead when she headed the ball into the back right of the Phoenix net. Lauren Eberts and Kelsey Passaglia were credited with assists on the goal after Eberts found Passaglia in the box and before Passaglia headed the ball to Boukidis.
Following the goal, Green Bay put a lot of pressure on the Huskies but the NIU defense held off a late rally by the Phoenix to secure their third shutout of the season. Despite the pressure, the NIU offense would not let up outshooting the Phoenix 18-12, with nine shots on goal to Green Bay’s five, by the end of contest.
NIU saw 11 Huskies register shots attempts, eight of whom fired shots on goal. Mo Smunt led the charge with five shots and two shots on goal, while Passaglia fired three shots and Corinne Frankenberg registered two shots. Passaglia and Frankenberg each notched a shot on goal.
Carr played all 90 minutes in goal for the Huskies, recording five saves to earn her third shutout of the season.
Following today’s contest NIU will hit the road Friday as the Huskies open their conference schedule at Toledo. The match-up between the Huskies and Rockets is set to begin at 3 p.m. at the Scott Park Soccer Complex in Toledo, Ohio.
For more information on NIU women’s soccer and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
