Women’s soccer (2-11-0, 1-5-0 MAC) dropped games to both Akron and Buffalo last weekend, bringing its current losing streak to five games.

Akron

The Huskies set the pace early in the game but weren’t able to capitalize as the Zips scored the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute of play, giving them the 2-1 win.

Akron scored early after the ball was deflected off of a Huskie defender in the 14th minute of the game.

Freshman forward Rachel Schirripa scored for Akron, assisted by junior forward Sarah Sivic.

Sophomore midfielder Lauren Gierman scored her fifth goal in five straight games, putting the Huskies on the board in the 23rd minute.

A renewed Akron returned in the second half, making attempts to slow the game down. The Zips scored again late in the game.

Freshman forward Becca Gordon scored the unassisted goal for Akron, firing the ball into the bottom right corner.

Ross could be heard on the sideline calling to players “focus on your technique” in the final fifteen minutes of the game. Gierman, on the bench, returned to the field to finish the game minutes later.

Freshman forward Taylor Sarver recorded three shots and the only other shot on goal in the game against Akron.

Senior forward Nicole Gobbo, along with juniors Haley Cummings and Jess Woolridge all recorded a shot for the Huskies.

“We know we are better than our record is, and we want to prove that,” said head coach John Ross.

He also said what sets these Huskies apart from other MAC teams is their “willingness to come back and keep fighting.

Buffalo

The Huskies were defeated by reigning MAC champions Buffalo (7-5-2, 3-2-1 MAC) in a 4-1 loss at UB stadium Sunday morning.

The Bulls scored first in the 28th minute of play. Senior forward Kassidy Kidd scored the goal for Buffalo.

Gierman kicked a goal for the Huskies in the 41st minute on a free kick.

Freshman forward Rebecca Bramble was able to capitalize on a penalty kick and secure another goal for the Bulls in the first period.

NIU will return home to compete against Ball State (9-2-2, 5-0-0 MAC) at 7 p.m. on Friday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex, and return to face Miami of Ohio (4-8-0, 2-3-0 MAC) at 1 p.m. on Sunday.