Aug. 17, 2009

Final Stats

Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northern Illinois women's soccer team took a break from preseason training Monday, and posted a 1-0 exhibition win over host Northwestern at Lakeside Field. Despite allowing 11 corner kicks, the Huskies were able to battle on offense to preserve a shut-out against the Wildcats.

With just 10 minutes remaining in the second half, the lone goal of the game came from a scored "own goal" in the 81st minute. NIU head coach Carrie Barker credited the Huskies' offensive effort in the contest, which led to NIU scoring the late goal.

"We were able to put a lot of pressure on the Northwestern defense, which in turn caused them to give up an own goal," head coach Carrie Barker said.

NIU's seniors Lisa Maier (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg), Kelly Mullany (Naperville Ill./Neuqua Valley) and Jamie Sitter (Spring Grove, Ill./ Richmond-Burton) led the team, each recording a shot for the Huskies. The Huskies held the Wildcats to a shot-less first half, while Maier and Mullany each recorded a shot.

Northwestern battled back with six shots in the second-half, to the Huskies single shot by Sitter, but were unable to score against NIU starting goaltender Lindsay Curnock.

"Today was a great experience," said Barker. "We played a very talented Northwestern team and for us to come into the game and do as well as we did was great. We had some great leadership from our seniors and upperclassmen. The younger girls were able to get exposure to this kind of environment, today, which was very good for us.""

The Huskies will open the regular season on the road, when NIU travels to Valparaiso, Ind., Aug. 28.