DeKALB | Despite looking for a boost going into conference play, the offense for the women’s soccer team fell short again.

The Huskies (1-4-2) mustered only four shots on goal compared to Northwestern’s 18 and fell 3-1 Friday in Evanston.

Northwestern (3-4) struck first with a goal from Jenny Dunn in the 12th minute and again from Krystal Patterson in the 21st minute.

NIU, already down two goals in the beginning of the game, needed to make a comeback quickly if they wanted to stay in it.

“We came out flat today and did not play well in the first half,” assistant coach Paul Jobson said.

Even with the Wildcats’ two goal deficit, the Huskies responded quickly to Patterson’s goal and in the 23rd minute Megan Kolkay assisted Thea Johnson for the only NIU goal.

But Patterson struck again in 58th minute to secure the win for the Wildcats.

Despite the outcome, Jobson tried to find a silver lining in Huskie keeper Lindsey Curnock, who made five saves in the game.

“I thought Lindsey Curnock played well for us in goal by coming up with some big saves, including one on a penalty kick,” Jobson said.

The game against Northwestern was the last for the Huskies before they start their MAC schedule. They will get conference play underway with four consecutive road matches, starting with Bowling Green on Friday.