Lauren Noonan
The Northern Illinois women’s soccer team concluded non-conference play Friday with an away game against the Loyola Ramblers.
After another defensive battle, NIU found itself behind 1-0 after regulation, falling to 2-5-1 on the season. With the loss, the Huskies have now dropped four of their last five games, going 0-4-1 over that stretch.
The Huskies have been a defensive team all season, and today’s game was no different. For the second time in three games for the Huskies, NIU and the opposition ended the first half in a 0-0 tie. Neither team was letting the other get many opportunities to score, as the two combined for just four shots on goal over the first 45 minutes of play.
The second half was once again defensive, but it featured the lone score for the Ramblers.
In the 65th minute, LUC’s Samantha Gage took a shot off the crossbar and delivered it into the back of the net to give the Ramblers a 1-0 lead. Despite their best efforts, the Huskies were unable to find an equalizer, and the game ended in a 1-0 loss.
Defense was again the focal point for the Huskies, as they were able to hold the Ramblers to just the single score. Lauren Noonan (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) and the rest of the defensive unit held the Ramblers to seven shots on goal. They also only allowed LUC to take two corner kicks all game.
NIU begins conference play this weekend with two road games: The Huskies will tour Michigan for a 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, match at Eastern Michigan before heading Sunday, Sept. 29, to Central Michigan for a game at noon.
For more information on NIU women’s soccer and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
