DEKALB – The NIU women's soccer team (3-3-1) fell to Northern Iowa (7-1) 3-2 as the Panthers won on a go-ahead goal with 30 seconds remaining in regulation. The goal was scored by UNI's Sarah Brandt for her second of the game as she finished a header off of a cross by Sydney Hayden.
 
The Huskies found themselves in an early hole as the Panthers scored the first two goals of the game in the 33^rd and 44^th minutes of the game. NIU responded just before the half ended as freshman Allie Fullreide (Bolingbrook, Ill./Neuqua Valley) scored her first collegiate goal with about 17 seconds left in the half. The play was set up on a Sammy O'Brien's (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora) flip throw that was headed towards the goal by Haley Hoppe (Austin, Texas/Rouse) where Fullreide was ready to finish it off.
 
"We showed a little bit of patience to make sure we were set up with the clock being around 45 seconds when the ball went out," Head Coach John Ross said. "We're dangerous on those throw ins and at that point we just needed to make sure we were set, we had time and we just ran it right."
 
NIU picked up their attack in the second half, outshooting Northern Iowa five to three in the half and the Huskies were rewarded in the game tying goal by Lauren Neslund (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) for her first collegiate goal. Once again, it came off of a flip throw-in by O'Brien as the first attempted shot rebounded to Neslund and turned and fired it into the back of the net.
 
The Huskies mixed up their lineups a bit in this game with both goals coming from subs and Hoppe getting her first career start at center back and being the only NIU outfield player to play all 90 minutes of the game. Ross is still looking for the right combination on the field as Mid-American Conference play approaches next week when they travel to Akron.
 
"We have so many talented players that everyone is pushing everyone to be better," Ross said. "People step up at different times and it sometimes changes what we can do. One of our strengths is our depth and I want to use that strength."
 
The three goals scored by Northern Iowa is the most goals given up by the Huskies in a regular season match since Sept. 11, 2016 against Arizona State. NIU keeper Amy Annala has given up five goals in her last two matches and the Huskies' coaching staff is looking for her to return to her early-season form.
 
"Amy cares a lot about the team and her teammates so when any ball goes in she takes it to heart," Ross said. "She just needs to bounce back and have a very short memory."
 
NIU women's soccer will move on to MAC play starting next Friday when they travel to Akron and Buffalo to start things off. The Huskies three non-conference wins is their most since the 2012 season, Ross' first season as head coach.