“We don’t have the intensity level we need,” said NIU defender Pat Becker as she summed up what head coach Frank Horvat felt throughout most of yesterday’s game with Marquette University.

After finally knotting the score at one in the first half, the Huskies seemed to let down their guard and allow the Warriors to control the game as they scored twice in the second half to break away with the win.

“We definitely did not come out to win. They played with a lot more intensity and we just broke down in the end,” said Horvat.

With the score tied 1-1 in the second half, Danielle Henion scored for the Warriors on a shot assisted by Maureen Mathews.

“This game could have gone either way. There was a time when I thought our team was much better than what we’re showing,” said Horvat.

With 79:23 gone, Mathews gave Kara Cassidy a pass about 15 yards right of center as she knocked it in for the eventual game winning goal.

“We need a major attitude adjustment,” said Horvat. “We practice just as hard, if not harder than the other teams. If we play (this weekend) like we have our last two we are going to get creamed.”

Although most players didn’t impress the eye of Horvat yesterday, Beth Pomles was a rare exception. After tying the score at one from eight yards left of goal, Horvat was encouraged by what he saw.

“Beth did a good job up front having never played there before,” Horvat said.

Attempting to spark the Huskies on offense one last time, Heather Palombi drove down the left sideline from midfield to hook in the game’s final goal from 18 yards out with 6:31 remaining in the game.

With both teams launching 12 shots with nine shots on goal they were closely matched.

“We definitely were evenly matched,”said Horvat. “We just did not play how we are capable of playing.”

With two games this weekend, the Huskies will get the chance to push their record above .500 for the third time this season.

NIU travels to Omaha this weekend to take on the University of Minnesota on Saturday, at 3 p.m., and Creighton University on Sunday, at 1 p.m.

“We definitely did not come out ot win. They played with a lot more intensity and we just broke down in the end”

Frank Horvat

women’s soccer head coach