Sept. 4, 2011

Box Score

Box Score (pdf) | Box Score (html)

DEKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois women's soccer team broke its four-match losing streak against Northern Iowa on an equalizing goal by sophomore Corrine Frankenberg in the opening minute of the second half. Though the Huskies were unable to rally for the win, the team responded from its loss Friday, to a 1-1 result against the Panthers.

Ashley Capone did not hesitate to put UNI in control of the match, receiving a pass from Charlotte Jones and chipping a shot from 20 yards out that appeared to be sailing over the crossbar. With a little english on it, the bottom dropped out from under the ball and sailed in to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute.

The Huskies responded by controlling possession during the first half and outshooting UNI 10-3. NIU also earned four corner kicks to UNI's one in the first half. Northern Illinois' high-octane level of play in the first half carried over into the opening minutes of the match as Frankenberg struck the Huskies first blow of the season.

Sophomore Frances Boukidis, from the left side the pitch, dished to freshman Allie McBride in the center of the field, who then sent the ball through to Frankenberg on the right. The Appleton, Wis. native then dribbled the ball to the right edge of the box and fired the ball to the center of the net to put the Huskies equal with the Panthers at 1-1.

NIU continued to pressure throughout the game on corner kick attempts and on direct free kicks from junior Shelbi Johnson, who finished the contest with four of Northern Illinois' 18 shots.

Senior Kelsey Passaglia nearly drive home the winning goal, when she collected a ball inside the goal box and fired a point-blank shot at Northern Iowa goalkeeper Lauren Potzman, but Potzman made the save to allow the defense to clear the threat.

Head Coach Carrie Barker said after the game, with mixed emotions "With the opportunities we had, it's a little disappointing that we need not find the extra goal and earn the win. I'm happy though that our team overcame the adversity of being  goal down by working together as a collective unit, but it's a tough pill to swallow."

The Huskies are now 0-4-1 in 2011, while the Panthers  fall to 2-3-1. Northern Illinois will return to action with a short week of preparationThursday, Sept. 8 to host Wisconsin. The bordering states will kickoff at 5 p.m. at NIU Soccer & Track and Field Complex.