The Northern Illinois University women’s soccer team (2-3-2) fell 1-0 to the DePaul Blue Demons (4-2-1) on Thursday night (Sept. 14) at the NIU Soccer Complex. The match was scoreless until the 29th minute when an own goal gave DePaul the lead. NIU was able to get shots on target throughout the match but was unable to get one in the net.
“It was a frustrating game, obviously the manner of the goal we conceded, it was a tough one for Sadie (McGill),” head coach Michael O’Neill said. “She made an individual error, but she’s bailed us out many times in her career before. The frustration lies more in the attacking third, we’re struggling to score goals. We need players with the mindset to get on the end of crosses and finish rebounds.”
The lone goal was in the 29th minute when Sadie McGill (Fort Worth, Texas/ L.D. Bell) redirected a DePaul cross attempt towards the net and was unable to get back to the ball before it crossed the line.
The Huskies outshot DePaul 7-1 in the match and led 4-1 in shots on goal.
“We controlled a majority of the game but just couldn’t get across the line in the 18-yard box,” O’Neill said.
NIU had five shots in the first half with the one on frame saved by Elena Milam. After the Huskies went down 1-0 on the own goal, NIU got two shots on goal both saved by Milam.
In the 78th minute, DePaul’s Beth Smyth fired a shot off the cross bar and a rebound nearly put DePaul up two, but they were unable to convert as the Huskies held the score at 1-0.
The final shot on goal was in the 88th minute by Sahara Zingano (Grimsby, Ontario/ Grimsby Secondary) from outside of the box.
Thursday’s match was the final out of conference game for NIU, as they will prepare for MAC play.
“It’s a clean slate, we’ve had our non-conference rehearsals, but MAC play is why we’re here. We’ve got to have a good week of practice and prepare for a very good team against Western Michigan next Thursday,” O’Neill said.