The NIU women’s soccer team returned home from a long road trip with a win and tie under its belt.

The Huskies (8-3-5 overall, 4-2-2 MAC) defeated Buffalo 1-0 Friday and played to a 1-1 tie at Kent State Sunday.

“Traveling took a lot out of us and to get a win on Friday, we were happy with that,” said NIU head coach Carrie Barker.

NIU found the back of the net in the game’s 77th minute when freshman Danielle Janowiak scored her first career goal. Thea Johnson and Lisa Maier both assisted on the play.

“It was an overall great team goal,” Janowiak said. “It came from all the way in the back.”

Goalkeeper Lindsey Curnock had a busy time in the net as Buffalo (0-6-2, 4-7-4) out-shot the Huskies 13-3 in the contest. The junior recorded four saves to preserve NIU’s second consecutive shutout and 10th on the year.

Sunday’s tie at Kent State (2-5-1, 5-9-1) turned out to be a more physical game for the Huskies.

The Golden Flashes’ Caitlin Hester scored at the 27-minute mark when her own throw in deflected off Curnock’s hand and into the goal.

Junior Jenna Clauson then knotted the score at one in the game’s 72nd minute off a cross from Johnson. KSU outshot NIU 19-14, but Curnock held the Golden Flashes in check, recording six saves.

“We didn’t come out that strong, but then we started playing a lot better,” Barker said. “Both teams worked hard and were very physical. We both had opportunities to put the game away but we refused to lose today.”