CHICAGO | After exploding for three goals in their previous game, the Huskies couldn’t even manage one against the previously winless Ramblers on Sunday afternoon.

NIU (2-2-0) took on a Loyola team that had yet to even register a tie in its first five contests. Against the Huskies, the Ramblers (1-5-0) came out strong, controlling play for the majority of the first half. Loyola’s strong play culminated in the only goal of the game in the 22nd minute by Kristin Papierski.

NIU senior Megan Harry knew it would be tough to get back in the game after a disappointing start.

“It was frustrating the way we came out and gave up that goal,” Harry said. “We did a better job in the second half, when we started to string some passes together, but we just couldn’t put it all together.”

Going against a hungry team, NIU head coach Carrie Barker realized the game would be a battle.

“I’m disappointed in the way we came out,” Barker said. “We came out a little better in the second half, but when you give up a goal to a good team like Loyola early in the game, it’s really tough to get back in it.”

Ramblers head coach Frank Mateus believes his team’s defensive play in the second half keyed the victory.

“We’ve been giving up a lot of goals in the second half lately,” Mateus said. “So, when we got that goal, our focus really shifted to not wanting to give anything away in the second half. We have a lot of respect for NIU, and it was really a great team to get our first win against.”

Afterwards, Harry’s desire to learn from and move past Sunday’s game showed.

“We’re already moving on,” Harry said. “We’re ready to take on ISU and take our revenge out on them.”