What a way to finish off your first home season!

Friday afternoon the women’s soccer team thrilled their fans with a 5-2 overtime victory against Northeast Missouri State University.

Things looked hopeless at the end of the first half for the Huskies (7-10) after they allowed the Bulldogs (4-10) their only two goals of the game, but an inspirational halftime talk by head coach Frank Horvat sparked NIU to play to their ability in the second half.

“At the half I told them that during the last six to eight games they’ve improved so much because they’ve applied what I told them to do,” Horvat said. “I told them that we had to apply ourselves and put some heart into it.”

The Huskies did not waste any time in the second half. Amy Derry scored NIU’s first goal just over five minutes into the half, with 50:18 gone in the match.

“Our opportunities came off of a lot of wing attacks,” Horvat said.

Derry then assisted Jennifer Berg who scored the Huskies second goal. The goal came with 53:37 gone off of a corner kick, which Berg headed in from three yards.

NIU had other chances to score in the half, but did not convert; the Huskies where headed for their first overtime of the season.

Just two minutes gone in overtime Heather Palombi scored the deciding goal on an assist from Derry. The goal was a 15-yard kick from the left side to put the Huskies up for good.

Amy Derry scored a second time (unassisted) with 112:29 gone in the match and Heather Palombi employed Derry to assist her with the final goal of the game with 115:06 gone.

“All those people got open and got opportunities because of what other people did,” Horvat said. “I’m hoping this carries us into Sunday.”

Unfortunately for the Huskies their play on Friday did not carry over to their match against Wright State University as they fell 4-0 to the Raiders.

“They completely dominated the game,” said Horvat.

Wright State ended the first half with a 2-0 lead off a goal by Mary Beth Lengefeld who was assisted by Carrie Landrum 21:37 into the game. The Raiders’ second goal was provided by Julie Bulmer as Landrum racked up her second assist of the afternoon.

No halftime talk would inspire the Huskies this time as they allowed Wright State two more goals in the second half, the first of which was put in by the Raiders’ Ann Green off a deflection with 66:35 gone. Green followed up her assist with a goal of her own with 74:59 gone as Lengefeld added her third assist of the match.

“Our first season has definitely been a success for a first year program,” said Horvat.