Women’s soccer (4-10-5, 3-6-2 Mid-American Conference) advanced to its first Mid-American Conference Championship match since 2006 after it defeated the Western Michigan University Broncos, 3-2, on Friday.

The Huskies were led by two goals from junior midfielder Allie Ingham and a goal from freshman midfielder Kelsey Chope.

Ingham’s first goal came in the 50th minute when she got on the end of a header from freshman forward Natalie Yaas to tie the game at 1-1.  Ingham then finished a long free kick taken by Yaas that bounced over Bronco’s junior goalkeeper Stephanie Herber to put the Huskies up, 2-1.

In the 73rd minute, Chope sent a bouncing ball into the box that went through Herber’s hands to give NIU a 3-1 lead.

The Broncos got one back in the 83rd minute on a scramble in the box to cut the Huskies’ lead to 3-2, but the Huskies’ defense held on strong the rest of the way to secure the victory.

NIU will face the winner of Friday’s semifinal matchup between Kent State University and Central Michigan University for the MAC Championship at noon Sunday in Kent, Ohio.