The NIU women’s soccer team had a rough weekend with back-to-back shutout losses. Spots in the MAC tournament are quickly filling, and at 5-10-2, 3-7-0, NIU is on the outside looking in.

On Friday, the offense of Ball State was too much for NIU to handle in a 2-0 loss. BSU launched 18 shots to keep warm in the sub 40 degree-rainy conditions.

The game was played in a quagmire and sloppy field conditions led to only eight NIU shots.

“We got outplayed today,” head coach Marci Miller said. “They were the better team, in fact, they are one of the better teams in the MAC.”

BSU (10-6-2, 6-2-0) stayed one game out of first place, and put a dent in NIU playoff aspirations.

Freshmen Jenna Clausen, Maddie Lehman, Erin Fahey, and Brandy Tarnowsky turned in strong performances. Miller has played a plethora of young talent all season and said the Huskies have a bright future.

“Some of the younger players looked good today,” Miller said. “We got a good glimpse of the future.”

“We need to make a quick turn-around playing another tough team in the MAC,” said assistant coach Paul Jobson about the Huskies’ contest with Miami-Ohio. “Sunday will be another all-out battle. Not too much of technical game, just two teams battling hard for a playoff spot.”

Miami clinched a berth in the MAC tournament with a 1-0 win Sunday. Miami has won three in a row and shut out 6 teams on the season.

NIU has lost 3 straight contests since knocking off first place Central Michigan Oct. 14. The Huskies haven’t scored a goal in five quarters (225 minutes).

Miami tallied the lone goal of the game at the 16-minute mark. Allison Berkey picked up the assist when she crossed a pass that Lindy Slinger deposited in the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.