Senior Gwen Sabo is making a big impact with her hard-charging play in her final season after finally earning a starting role for women’s soccer.

This is Sabo’s first season as a starter for women’s soccer after only playing sparingly throughout her career. She’s made the most of the role, acting as an iron woman for the Huskies. She has only missed one game this season after earning a red card Aug. 29 for being a little too physical with a Hawaii player.

Beyond that, Sabo typically stays on the field for the full 90 minutes. That starting role and increased playing time isn’t something she’s taking for granted. With this being Sabo’s last season with women’s soccer, she’s feeling the need to make every game count more, which drives her to play an up-tempo game.

“I didn’t think I’d feel that way, but every game I feel it,” Sabo said. “We have to get a result from today; we have to do it. I definitely have a huge sense of urgency this year.”

In her first year as a starter, Sabo began the season playing midfield, where she solidified her reputation for aggressive playing. She was almost always the first to attack the ball carrier trying to break through into the Huskies’ end.

In a move to reinforce NIU’s defensive play, Sabo was shifted to the backline, where she’s been making the most of it and adding to the Huskies’ on-the-rise defensive play.

“I feel much more comfortable at center back,” Sabo said. “I feel like that’s where I’m meant to be. I played there all throughout high school, and I just never have in college yet. I just feel very at home at center back.”

The physical and aggressive defense has been the Huskies’ forte in the early goings, despite a few missteps in the last few games. For Sabo, it’s not really about just being aggressive at times but staying that way. As the most senior member of the Huskies’ starting backline, she brings four years of experience of having to earn every ball.

“Just me being a physical player just kind of energizes everyone,” Sabo said. “Like if they see [I’m] going for a hard tackle, it just pumps everyone up. It’s just like a domino effect; everyone starts playing harder. I think that’s helped out.”

Beyond defense, Sabo takes free kicks for the team, which forces her to have to take long looks at the whole field. That vision has helped Sabo on defense when she’s forced to make hurried clearances as far away from the Huskies’ end as she can. Usually, it goes pretty far.

The move to the backline has paid off for Sabo and the Huskies, which got a much-needed spark upon entering conference play. Head coach John Ross said she’s been a key part of the team’s strong start in the MAC.

“It’s worked out great,” Ross said. “It’s kind of a little bit of the missing piece back there. [She] has the ability to clear the ball and clear it out at distance. She’s a good leader back there, very composed and technical. Each year, she’s gotten better and better.

“This year, she’s been unbelievable for us. I’m really happy for her because she works hard, [is a] good kid, and she’s seeing the rewards now.”

Sabo has meshed well with her fellow defenders, who she says make her a better player.

“It’s really just our chemistry,” Sabo said. “We all have a sense of trust with each other, so I know if I go up for a ball there’s three people that are going to cover me. It’s just a lot of we’re on the same page.”