Huskies improve to 7-3-4 on year with two MAC weekend victories

By DERRICK SMITH

The NIU women’s soccer team bagged two conference victories over the weekend.

The Huskies (7-3-4 overall, 3-2-1 MAC) defeated Ohio 3-2 Friday and posted a 1-0 victory over Akron Sunday afternoon.

Three Huskies found the back of the net Friday against Ohio (2-8-3, 1-3-2). Sophomores Mo Smunt and Christen Schuler scored their first career goals in the first half.

Ohio responded with two goals of their own, but junior Kelly Mullany tallied her first goal of the year and fifth of her career for the game-winner with just under 20 minutes left in the match.

“The goals we got were beautiful goals,” NIU head coach Carrie Barker said. “They were well-earned and picture-perfect goals.”

Ohio outshot NIU 11-10 Friday afternoon, but it was not enough to overcome NIU goalkeeper Lindsey Curnock, who recorded four saves in the contest.

“It was a really good weekend for us,” Schuler said. “We played really well on Friday. Everyone stayed positive the whole match and that’s pretty hard for us to do with everyone being so intense.”

Sohomore Becca Ford scored her fourth goal of the year and first career game-winner in a 1-0 victory over Akron (7-6, 2-4). Ford found the back of the net off an assist from Lisa Maier in the game’s 55th minute.

“You definitely have to be excited about a shutout at home,” Barker said. “Defensively, we played very well and I think we had many opportunities to score but all it takes is one. Becca did a great job fighting for that goal.”

NIU outshot the Zips 10-1 in the first half and 17-8 in the game. Curnock added to her total of 23 career shutouts while recording three saves in the match.