DeKALB — Senior forward Nick Markanich scored his nation leading 11th goal of the season as the Huskies defeated the University of Green Bay Phoenix 1-0 Saturday.

“The priority was obviously getting the win, so we are happy with that,”  NIU head coach Ryan Swan said in a Saturday NIU Athletics news release. “Another shutout, which is also very nice, but I didn’t think we were at our best today. Sometimes that happens, so getting the win when we weren’t at our best, I’m happy in that regard.”

The lone score on the day came in the 16th minute when senior defenseman Anthony Markanich crossed a low ball from the left wing to his brother Nick Markanich who found the back of the net.

“I thought our build up play and Anthony’s cross was fantastic,” Swan said. “Nick sensed the area to get into, he arrived at the perfect time and the finish was clinical. You don’t want to say it is expected right now because there is so much more to his game, but he looks very dangerous in every game.”

With a goal in this game, Nick Markanich has now set a school record for consecutive games scored with seven. Markanich also tied the NIU record for most goals in a season with Marcus McCarty, who scored 11 goals in the 2006 season.

The Huskies shut down any offense the Phoenix could muster as they held them to five total shots. Only three of those five shots were on goal.

NIU, on the other hand, shot the ball 15 times. Five of those shots were on goal.

Redshirt junior goalie Martin Sanchez secured his sixth shutout of the season while also totaling three saves on goal. NIU has now gone a total of 501 minutes and 33 seconds without allowing a goal. 

NIU will be back in action at 11 a.m. on Saturday as they open MAC conference play against the University of Western Michigan Broncos in Kalamazoo.