NIU faced the Ohio University Bobcats and the Kent State University Golden Flashes, losing both games, and in position to finish in last place in the MAC.

The shorthanded Huskies lost 4-0 to the Bobcats in a game that seemed winnable in the first half before Ohio took over.

The Golden Flashes added to NIU’s struggles, shutting out the Huskies in a 6-0 defeat for NIU.

The Huskies will travel to Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday Oct. 25 against Western Michigan University to close out a difficult season for the Huskies.

Thursday

After a manageable one goal first half deficit, the Huskies could no longer hold on, and conceded three goals in the second half.

With only eight minutes into the game, Senior midfielder Madelyn Kah received a pass down the middle, and shook off a Huskie defender before placing her shot on the far past and into the net.

Junior forward Abby Gregg tabbed the only shot on goal in the first half for the Huskies. Gregg finished the game with four shots, putting all on target. Gregg leads the Huskies in total shots this season with 27.

Ohio did not let up and came firing full cylinders in the second half with a second and third goal in under four minutes. Junior forward Alivia Milesky scored both, including a well placed third goal from inside the 18-yard-box and into the far post upper-ninety.

NIU’s Senior goalkeeper MacKenzie Lee got the starting nod for the fourth straight game. Lee finished the match with a season high 14 saves.

Colhoff tested out first-year goalkeeper Julia Lentz in the field, bringing her on as a substitute at the 32 minute mark. Lentz replaced Senior forward Emilie Furuseth-Haugan. Lentz finished the match with one shot.

The Bobcats added a fourth goal just under the 76-minute mark when Sophomore midfielder Sarina Dirrig met a corner kick from defender Maria Collica and headered it in, leaving Lee standing still.

The Huskies closed out the match with 10 total shots while the Bobcats put up 31.

Sunday

The season-long blues continued for the Huskies in Sunday’s game. The Huskies were dominated throughout the match, and a small rotation wore out the already depleted squad.

The Golden Flashes quickly set the tone to an eventual blow out win with a goal just under four minutes into the game. Sophomore forward Cameron Shedenhelm was the culprit, making it her second of the year.

Shedenhelm’s goal marks the fifth time the Huskies have conceded with 10 minutes or less into a game this season.

NIU finished the match with only four total shots, putting two on frame.

Lee started between the posts before being replaced with Lentz in the second half. Both goalies conceded three goals, and both tallied six saves.

Sophomore midfielder Vital Kats had herself a match for the Golden Flashes, scoring the third and fourth for Kent State, and assisting on the second and fifth goal.

Before the final whistle ended a miserable afternoon, the Huskies conceded a final goal, an own-goal.