DeKALB – A 90th minute, game-winning goal in the NIU women’s soccer match against Ball State University sent the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex into a frenzy.
Assisted by senior midfielder Abby Zipse, freshman forward Tyra King netted the Huskies’ only goal of the game with 45 seconds remaining to defeat the tied for top-ranked Cardinals.
“I’m just really proud of my team for helping me get this goal and helping us get this win,” King said.
With the win, NIU handed Ball State its first conference loss of the 2023 season and snapped the Cardinals’ eight-game unbeaten streak.
NO SHORTAGE OF SHOTS
The Huskies tallied 23 total shots with 15 shots on goal.
King led NIU with five shots, four were shots on goal, and was responsible for the only goal of the game on either side.
“Tyra’s a big player for us,” said NIU women’s soccer head coach Michael O’Neill. “She’s a freshman. She’s only 17, people forget that, so, you know, she’s still learning her trade here as a young part, but she’s a phenomenal athlete. She’s a phenomenal kid. She’s one of the most hardworking and committed individuals I’ve worked with, and good things happen to those people, and today was another day.”
Ten Huskies recorded at least one shot on goal on Thursday. Junior forward Reegan Kingpavong and junior defender Lea Gruennagel tallied two each.
“I think, at practice, we emphasized a lot of attacking girls,” Kingpavong said. “More shooting, more front foot shots. So, I think that really translated into the game.”
DOUBLE-SIDED COHESION
NIU held Ball State to seven shots, five were shots on goal. The Huskies tripled Ball State’s scoring attempts. All Cardinal shots on goal were saved by redshirt senior goalkeeper Sadie McGill.
O’Neill praised the Huskies’ defensive performance and credited them as the catalyst for the victory.
“Defensively, I thought (senior defender Abby) Adams, Lea (Gruennagel), Aubs’ (sophomore midfielder Aubrey Robertson), (graduate student midfielder Abby) McHugh, Zipse, were absolutely phenomenal today,” O’Neill said. “They were monsters defensively, and that allowed us to continue to build this momentum.”
UP NEXT
NIU has now won five of its last six games and will look to build on its success in its next matchup with Central Michigan University.
The Huskies will face the Chippewas at noon Sunday at the Central Michigan Soccer/Lacrosse Complex in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The game will be streamed on Chippewas All-Access, and live stats will be available via SideArm Stats.
