Over the weekend NIU women’s soccer went undefeated, earning a win at Akron while tying against Buffalo.

The Huskies (5-4-2, 1-1-2 MAC) used a solid defensive effort to help them defeat the (Zips 4-6-0, 0-3 MAC 1-0).

In the 14th minute, the Huskies took advantage of their only shot on goal in the first half, when junior forward/mid-fielder Frances Boukidis scored in the middle box from 8 yards out. It was Boukidis’s first goal of the season, Cori Frankenberg assisted on the tally.

“It was really important, especially coming off a loss and a tie,” Boukidis said. ”We just really needed to get the win to put ourselves in a better position for conference and it was kind of a confidence booster as well.”

NIU’s team defense was key in the victory, as the Zips outshot NIU 9-4 in the game. However, only two of those nine shots made it on goal toward Huskies goalkeeper Amy Carr.

“Most of all, all 11 players were defending together and so defenders had a lot of opportunities and made a lot of plays,” said coach John Ross.

NIU completed its shutout over the Zips, as Carr and defender Lauren Eberts each recorded a save in the second half. This was the Huskies fifth shutout of the season.

Both the Huskies and Bulls (2-8-2, 0-3-1 MAC) had plenty of authentic chances in their match Sunday. In the end, each team got one past the opposing team’s goalkeeper, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

NIU struck first in the 17th minute when freshman mid-fielder Sara Spaulding scored her second goal of the season on a cross from Boukidis and a pass from Frankenberg.

The Bulls outshot the Huskies 7-6, and 3-2 on frame in the first 45 minutes of the match.

Coming out to start the second half, Buffalo turned up the pressure. In the 54th minute the Bulls tied the score at one, when junior forward Stephanie Velez scored her first goal of the season.

Once tied, the Huskies offense responded with a persistent offensive attack for the remainder of the 90 minute regulation time.

NIU finished regulation with a total of 14 shots.

In the two overtime periods, NIU continued its offenses assault, firing eight more shots on goal. Buffalo goalkeeper Sarah Moore remained up to the task, stopping four of those eight shots.

Moore finished the match with 11 saves while NIU’s Amy Carr finished with five.