The first-half struggles for the women’s soccer team were too much to overcome for a team that only managed to find itself in the second half of games during this season.

The Huskies (6-11-3, 4-6-2 MAC) ended their season the same way they did last year: with a first-round exit from the MAC tournament. While getting to the playoffs used to be a goal for the team, it’s not enough anymore. Head coach John Ross doesn’t want the team members to feel like they’ve done enough by just making the playoffs.

“It’s good that we made it [to the playoffs],” Ross said. “It’s our next step to win that game.”

An inability to come through early defined the season. NIU only scored five goals in the first half all year, tying them for lowest in the MAC. The slow start also doomed the team in the tournament before playoffs began: The early losses for the Huskies in conference play left them slated for a low seed and road match. The Huskies were winless on the road this season, and Ross believes NIU should have done more this season.

“We all wanted more,” Ross said. “I was happy with the run in the second half of the season. We found our groove. We just need to do a better job getting a better seed and get that home game.”

The returning players are making it a point to ensure the team’s first-half struggles don’t translate to next season. Sophomore forward Nicole Gobbo hopes the team remembers how hard it is to overcome those early deficits.

“Next year we’re going to have a whole different team,” Gobbo said. “We’re going to have to know that we need to go in with the mindset that teams can come out early and get early goals. We can’t let that happen again. That’s what made us lose this year, because we gave up those early goals.”

It wasn’t all bad for the Huskies this season. NIU was dominant at home, posting one of the MAC’s best home records at 6-1-1. The second half of the season is where the NIU found its stride. The Huskies’ performance on the road improved and they had a big win over Kent State to clinch their tournament berth. Gobbo, who led the team with six goals, is hopeful the second half of the season showed the team’s true talent.

“Over the season, we came together and we were able to work as a team,” Gobbo said. “I think it’s a big step making the tournament after a rough patch in the beginning.”

NIU was able to find contributors from all over the field. Fifteen players contributed points across. Even when their forwards were stopped, the Huskies were able score with others.

The freshman class contained some of the team’s biggest contributors, as Jess Wooldridge led all freshmen with three goals, and Jackie Wandt and Alex Elias played key roles for the team on both sides of the ball.

The season’s end marks the departure of this year’s nine-member senior class. Their departure will leave big shoes for the underclassmen to fill. Senior Lauren Solomon is confident the younger players will be able to do it, especially since they’ve seen how hard it is to have a successful season in the MAC.

“It was a very bitter season,” Solomon said. “But this program has a better future ahead of it.”