NIU Scores 1-1 Draw at Preseason MAC Favorites Ohio

Athens, Ohio – freshman forward amber vest (Southfield, Michigan/Mercy) First career goal, season-best 10 saves from senior goalie Sadie McGill (Fort Worth, Texas/Northern Texas) helped the Northern Illinois University women’s soccer team secure a 1-1 draw against the Ohio Bobcats at Chesa Field Thursday afternoon.

“Defensively, it was very tough and gritty today,” said the head coach. Michael O’Neal.amber vest When Madison Ruby (Saginaw, Mich./Nouvel Catholic Central) had a very positive impact on the game going forward on the counter, but the defensive line and goalkeepers were great today. ”

“Ohio was voted No. 1 in the conference and we were voted No. 12, so our claim today is correct: travel nine hours, play against one of the top teams in the conference, and walk away. I’m very proud of the group’s effort and scoring points is a good achievement.”

After a scoreless first half, Ohio (6-4-2, 2-2-1 MAC) got onto the board just past the game’s hour mark. Regan’s Berg slammed a rebound off of Abbie Townshend’s shot from close range to put the Bobcats ahead 1–0 on him.

NIU (5-4-3, 2-2-1 MAC) equalized after three minutes. amber vest He scored his first career goal with a shot from 20 yards out of the hands of Ohio goaltender Sam Wexel.

“When you’re facing a team like Ohio State that attacks numbers, you know you have space to attack right away,” O’Neill said. “We had some quick finishes and Amber scored. We play for points, so it worked out.”

The Bobcats nearly regained the lead with 82^nd With Townsend free in the box, McGill made a diving save to keep the game at 1-1. Ohio’s Hayley Miller shot from the corner with less than five minutes to play in regulation and was saved from the goal line by the NIU defense. The fight back was broken by the Ohio State defense and the game remained tied until the final whistle as both teams scored points in the Mid-American Conference standings in a 1–1 tie.

Ohio had two shots on goal in the seventh minute of the game. Berg shot from a corner kick just off the crossbar. Nearly 40 seconds later, Berg had another chance with a goal stopped by McGill.Husky’s first crack on the scoresheet came at 10^th minute when Claudia Mussig (Paw Paw, Michigan/Paw Paw) carries the ball to the top of the 18-yard box and shoots it over goal.

The Bobcats had seven shots on goal in the first half and McGill made six saves. Ohio’s best chance at goal was 18.^th The moment Isabella Ginocchi got the ball in the 6-yard box, we only saw McGill drop it before taking a point-blank shot.

“Sadie was amazing today,” O’Neill added of the NIU senior keeper, who had a season-high 10 saves on Thursday. , a testament to her character and leadership role on the team.”

NIU will face Akron on Sunday, October 9 at 1:00 PM at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex.

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