Defense is one of the main reasons why NIU women’s soccer has had a more successful season in 2012.

This season, the Huskies are giving up 0.94 goals a game compared to a season ago, when they gave up 1.79 goals a game. As one might suspect, the number of wins for the Huskies has increased from two to seven.

One key member of the Huskies’ defensive corps is Lauren Eberts, senior and team captain defender.

Despite not having a point this season and only having two goals and two assists in her Huskie career, coach John Ross said Eberts’ presence on the field is important for the Huskies.

“It means quite a bit, you know?” Ross said. “She’s a very athletic, physical, hard, mentally tough player, and you know we can always count on her every game to be there for us.”

Eberts, a Pickerington, Ohio, native, said two things stand out in her game compared to when she first came to DeKalb four years ago.

“I think I’ve matured a lot as a player and been able to develop into more of a leadership role for our team,” Eberts said. “I try to lead from example. And [I try to] keep us positive and just keep us going and just take it to every game and you leave everything out on the field and hope that everyone follows.”

Junior and fellow defender Lauren Solomon said it is nice having Eberts alongside her out on the field.

“She helps when I don’t have to win balls in the air because she’s definitely really good at that,” Solomon said. “So, she makes my job a little bit easier and I know that if I don’t win the ball in the air she’s definitely right behind me [and is] gonna win it.”

As her career winds down, Eberts said she will leave NIU with lots of memories from on and off the field.

“I mean, [I’ll remember] all the memories, all the big wins we’ve had, and especially and mostly the memories of just being on the road and the time I have with my teammates,” Eberts said. “That’s what I’ll remember the most.”