One shot was all it would take.

For the second time this year, the NIU men’s soccer team looked for a win over the No. 2 team in the nation.

But a single shot off the head of Brian Usinger would put an end to that hope, as No. 2 Northwestern took the game in a 1-0 victory in Evanston, Ill.

The Wildcats (11-0-2) started out strong, scoring on the first shot of the game.

The ball passed NIU goal keeper Joe Zimka in the 24th minute when the Wildcats capitalized on a free kick.

“We are disappointed in the manner that they scored,” said NIU head coach Steve Simmons. “You could call it a fluke, but they have been doing it all year. One of their guys got his head on the ball, and it floated awkwardly right into the upper corner. It was the only place they could have scored.”

The scoring shot was the only registered shot in the first period, leaving the Huskies (7-3-4 overall, 2-1-1 MAC) yet to reach their opponents’ goal.

Simmons knew that scoring on the Wildcats would not be easy, as Northwestern leads the nation in goals allowed.

Wildcat keeper Misha Rosenthal has shutout 10 teams this year, and has allowed only three goals in 13 games.

“He is a by-product of the 10 guys out in front of him,” Simmons said. “The guys in front do a good job in insulating their keeper so that he doesn’t have to make big saves.”