The MAC Tournament once again remained elusive for the NIU women’s soccer team as it was defeated by the University of Toledo 3-1 Friday.

There was a positive side to the weekend as the Huskies (6-11,4-8) came back from a two-goal deficit against Bowling Green Sunday to win their last MAC game 3-2. It was also their first win in the last six games.

The 3-1 loss to Toledo officially eliminated NIU from the MAC Tournament.

It all began when Toledo’s Sarah Crane opened the scoring with just under 6:30 to go in a first half that saw the Huskies fail to get a shot on goal.

Just 2:34 into the second half, junior Denise Papke knotted the score at one. She hammered her second goal of the season off a crossing pass from freshman Chanelle Crosby.

After a barrage of failed scoring attempts by the Huskies, Toledo’s Melissa Lesage hit the back of the net from 12 yards out for the lead. The Rockets would add another goal in the 75th minute to put the contest out of reach.

“They were able to score on their half-chances and we didn’t,” coach Frank Horvat said. “We created five or six good scoring chances, but were only able to score on one. Their experience showed today, as their players came out and did what was necessary.”

Even though NIU’s postseason hopes were dashed two days earlier, the Huskies still focused on the game at hand against the Falcons. Papke scored the game-winner, her second goal of the weekend, with just 2:13 to go for NIU’s sixth victory of the season.

Papke took a pass from junior Maggie Nowicki and was able to float it over Falcon goalkeeper Erika Flanders for the match winner.

“This was a tremendous show of character for our team, since we’ve already been eliminated from the MAC Tournament,” Horvat said. “I’m proud of how we finished this game, and it gives us a lot to build off for next season.”

The Falcons stuck it to the Huskies in the early going, scoring two late first-half goals that put NIU in a two-goal deficit.

Junior Katie Klaas needed the crossbar for her third goal of the season as the Huskies cut the lead to one. Junior Tiffany Anderson tied things up 10 minutes later as she intercepted a Bowling Green pass and scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season from 10 yards out.

Not only did the Huskies manage to come from behind, but they had an uncharacteristic 11 shots on goal and 19 overall shots. Junior Leigh Steigerwald and freshman Carrie Dvorak combined for 10 saves on the day.

“We played with a lot of heart today, especially when we were down 2-0,” Horvat said. “I give my team a lot of credit, and I’m happy for them that they were rewarded like that for all the good things they did today.”