Aug. 15, 2010

DEKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois women's soccer team hosted Milwaukee in its first exhibition match-up of the season, Sunday, battling the Panthers on the field but ultimately dropping a 4-0 decision at the NIU soccer and track and field complex.

"Today was our first competition of the year and I give a lot of credit to UWM, they have a great program," head NIU women's soccer coach Carrie Barker said. "We started our schedule with one of the best teams in the country and it was a great gauge to see where we are at."

In a hard fought first half, the Huskies captured two saves, two shots and one cornerkick to open the game. The NIU defense put a lot of pressure on Milwaukee, but the Panthers were able to capitalize on their opportunities to score, netting three of eight shot attempts to grab an early lead.

Milwaukee's Keara Thompson scored the first goal of the afternoon, when she found the top left corner of a net from 25 yards out. Sarah Hagen notched the Panther's second point in the half, before assisting Laurel Ragalie who found the net after receiving the ball from Hagen.

Entering the second half, NIU battled back offensively, earning three shot attempts to the Panthers' four. Although the Huskies recorded two saves in the second half, the Panthers were able to sneak the ball over the head of the Huskie goalkeeper to score their final point of the game. Milwaukee's Mackenzie Gillapsie secured the goal, while Heather Roadhouse was credited with the assist.

The Huskies will enter their second exhibition game on Friday, when they play host to Western Illinois in a 2 p.m. contest at the NIU Soccer and track & Field complex. Friday's competition will be NIU's final exhibition game, before the Huskies open their regular season by playing host to Creighton on Aug. 23.