Kylie Revelle
The Northern Illinois women’s soccer team claimed its first Mid-American Conference victory of the season Sunday, when senior Kylie Revelle hit the game-winner in overtime play to give the Huskies (5-4-0) a 1-0 victory over Ball State (6-4-0) at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
Revelle notched the game-winning goal for the Huskies when she hit a header into the back of the net off a cornerkick from Megan Harry in the 94th minute of play. Revelle’s golden goal lifted the Huskies to a 1-0 victory over BSU. Revelle’s goal was her first of the season and marked Harry’s third assist.
The Huskies and Cardinals fought to a scoreless 90 minutes, sending the teams into overtime. Northern Illinois outshot Ball State 13-12 in the game and earned six cornerkicks to the Cardinals’ two.
In the opening half, NIU outshot Ball State four to two, but the Cardinals managed to edge out the Huskies two to one in shots on goal. Freshman Amy Carr recorded two saves against the Cardinals, who did not register a shot on goal for the remainder of the game, to hold BSU scoreless.
Entering the second half, the Huskies came out strong outshooting the Cardinal six to three to open play. Despite tough play from the Huskies, the Cardinals powered back to outshoot NIU, 10-8, in the half. A relentless Huskie defense would not let the Cardinals score, as NIU and Ball State battled into overtime play.
In overtime play, the Huskies would not let the Cardinals close to their goal, holding BSU without any shot attempts. Four minutes into overtime play the Huskies claimed the victory when Revelle scored on her lone shot attempt of the game.
Carr played 94 minutes in goal for the Huskies, to record her fourth shutout of the season, and bring NIU to 1-1 in conference play. Offensively, seven Huskies registered shot attempts in the match, with Shelbi Johnson, Kelsey Passaglia and Lauren Eberts each recording multiple attempts.
“I’m proud of how we played today,” said Northern Illinois women’s soccer head coach Carrie Barker. “It was a very physical game and we found a way to win.”
In a very physical battle, the teams racked up 26 combined fouls with nine from Northern Illinois and 17 from Ball State. The physicality of the game continued throughout regulation, ending with two yellow cards being issued to the Ball State Cardinals.
The Huskies will continue their three game homestand when NIU hosts Buffalo on Friday, Oct. 1, before hosting Kent State on Sunday, Oct. 3.
For more information on NIU women’s soccer and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
