The NIU women’s soccer team opened up the season at home Friday with a 0-0 tie against Loyola University.

In the first half, the game was statistically similar, but the NIU women had a small advantage. Early in the first half, Rambler forward Katie Koning received her first yellow card, causing her to play cautiously. This allowed the NIU defense to apply pressure on her and cause the rest of the Loyola offense to shoulder the load.

The tactic carried over into the second half when the Huskies took control. The NIU offense, led by sophomore forward Katie Klaas and senior midfielder Jane Mucci, combined for five of 12 second half shots.

Mucci led the assault for the Huskies with a match-high four shots on goal. Unfortunately, the Huskies could not put the ball in the back of the net.

“We did a really good job up top, we have a lot more speed and can pressure the ball more,” Mucci said. “We just didn’t put one in the goal.”

There were many opportunities to do so, however. Just seven minutes into the second half, Klaas’s corner kick to the near post was settled and shot by NIU midfielder Erica Hofferkamp. Hofferkamp’s shot was stopped by a Loyola defender just inside the post, saving the goal.

Mucci scored the only goal of the game with 10 minutes remaining in regulation. The goal came off a header on a cross from midfielder Tiffany Anderson. Unfortunately, the referee called off the goal because of a collision with the Rambler goalkeeper.

The NIU defense also added to the dominance of the second half. Allowing only 6 shots in the second half, the NIU defense became a wall. Sweeper Ilene Weinstein anchored the defense.

“We told ourselves that we weren’t going to allow any goals, and that’s what we did,” Weinstein said. “We played hard, worked hard and kept it solid in the back.”

With three minutes left in regulation, Koning received her second yellow card, and was forced to leave the game. Loyola would play with only ten players.

At the end of regulation time, the score was tied at zero, sending the game into sudden death overtime.

The NIU women continued their dominance by allowing only four shots in overtime, while taking eight.

“The team did some very nice things,” said NIU coach Frank Horvat. “We are still evaluating since it is the beginning of the season, but I am very pleased.”