DeKALB – NIU men’s soccer (1-3) faced off against the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix (2-2), coming up short 2-1. 

NIU men’s soccer head coach Ryan Swan shared his thoughts about the team’s performance. 

“I don’t think anyone really had control of the ball for a sustained period of time today, and we looked really flat,” Swan said. “I don’t remember us creating too many great opportunities, which is very disappointing.” 

Green Bay finished the match outshooting NIU 11-6, but the Huskies led in shots on goal with five. Despite having the edge, the Huskies’ lone goal came thanks to a penalty kick. 

Green Bay put the first points on the board, scoring on its second shot. 

Phoenix sophomore midfielder Luke Nicholson gave Green Bay the 1-0 lead in the eighth minute, profiting off an assist by junior forward Kajus Kontautas. 

The Phoenix muted the Huskies’ offensive attack for the remainder of the first half, creating a 1-0 Green Bay lead going into halftime. NIU did not get a shot off until the 30th minute and finished the half with three shots, compared to the Phoenix’s seven. 

NIU evened the game following halftime after senior forward Kevin Kelly scored on a penalty kick in the 49th minute of the game. The score marks Kelly’s first goal of the season and also his first goal as a Huskie. 

“I practiced them (penalty kicks) during the week,” Kelly said. “I just knew I had to stay calm and let it take care of itself.” 

Kelly led the Huskies in shots (3) and shots on goal (2). 

The two teams remained scoreless in the second half until the 67th minute, when Green Bay capitalized on a penalty kick of their own. Phoenix junior forward Chris Album recorded the goal, cementing the victory and marking his first of the season. 

With one game before the start of Missouri Valley Conference play, Swan spoke about how the team can get back on track. 

“There’s a lot of technical mistakes; we’re just giving the ball away far too easily and then from a defensive perspective, just not getting in the right position,” Swan said. “It’s some of the fundamentals of soccer that needs to be cleaned up and so that’ll obviously be our focus before UMKC (University of Missouri-Kansas City).” 

UP NEXT 

The Huskies next match is 7 p.m. Friday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex against the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Live stats will be available through SIDEARM Sports.