DeKALB | This weekend, the NIU women’s soccer team battled its opponents to a hard-fought win Friday in Michigan. But it fell short in the game Sunday.

NIU (4-8-2 overall, 3-4 MAC) first took on Central Michigan (10-3-1, 3-3-1), beating the Chippewas 2-0 in Mt. Pleasant Friday.

“This was probably the best performance we have had in terms of character and heart since I have been at NIU,” NIU coach Marci Miller said. “The weather conditions were cold and wet and I told the team it would take a lot of heart to win today. They came out and battled. It was a great win and a huge step for our team.”

The Huskies scored their first goal in the 50th minute by Megan Kolkay who was assisted by Maddie Lehman.

In the final third of the game, NIU was forced to play shorthanded but still managed to score its second goal in the 88th minute of the game when Jenna Clausen assisted Lisa Maier to secure the lead.

Lindsey Curnock made nine saves the entire game, leaving Curnock with her fourth shutout of the season.

But despite the emotional win, the Huskies couldn’t keep it up against Eastern Michigan (6-7-2, 3-5) and fell 2-0 to the Eagles.

The first goal was struck by Eagles Maggie Christensen in the 9th minute on a header and another goal was made by Katie Lozar in the 68th minute.

NIU, already without Micaela Damas, who received a red card Friday at Central Michigan, lost defender Jenna Clausen as well due to an ankle injury.

“We came out flat and did not play well today,” Miller said. “Our goalkeeper was playing sick, we lost one of our top defenders to injury after already having one defender out. That was tough to overcome.”

Despite all that, Karen Enockson led the NIU offense with four of the team’s 15 shots during the game.