BLOOMINGTON, Ind. | Amidst windy conditions, a downpour and a rain-soaked field, NIU lost 1-0 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Wednesday.

“This is not a moral victory,” NIU coach Steve Simmons said. “It’s a massive disappointment. Certainly, the conditions favored our style of play.”

It was the first time since 1973 the Huskies made it to the big dance.

Indiana’s Brian Ackley scored in the 20th minute of the first half off assists from teammates John Mellencamp and Kevin Robson.

Ackley went into the game leading Indiana with 17 points, and is now tied for the team lead with seven goals.

“The first game is always the toughest,” Indiana coach Michael Freitag said. “NIU fought tooth and nail, and their style is very tough to play against.”

NIU goalkeeper Joe Zimka led the nation in goals-against average and saves coming into the game.

The Huskies’ Marcus McCarty had NIU’s best chance to score with about 24 minutes remaining in the first half.

McCarty took a penalty kick, giving him a one-on-one chance against Hoosiers sophomore goalkeeper Chay Cain. But Cain made a diving stop to hold NIU scoreless.

The Huskies continued to press on offense in the first half, receiving three corner kicks to Indiana’s one. Unfortunately for NIU, Cain had one more save before the end of the half.

With the wind in its favor, NIU stayed aggressive to start the second period.

The Huskies amassed four more corner kicks, but the Hoosiers set up a brick wall on defense.

Corner kicks and throw-ins for NIU deep in Indiana territory were continually cleared out of Indiana’s zone by a stingy Hoosier backfield.

The Huskies put six shots on goal to Indiana’s four in the second half, but Cain came up with two more saves to prove his No. 15 goals-against average ranking was not a joke.

Zimka made his lone save in the second half as Indiana continued to deny NIU any chance to mount an offensive attack, and countered when given the opportunity.

One free kick by NIU junior walk-on Blake Gotkowski with about a minute to go was the last chance the Huskies had to score. But his kick was knocked out of bounds, and Indiana’s defense held strong to shutout NIU.