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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Freshman midfielder Lauren Mrugala (21) looks to pass the ball to senior defender Lea Gruennagel (11) on Sunday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU women's soccer tied with Miami University with a score of 1-1 in its first conference game of the season. (Northern Star File Photo)

Women’s soccer ties Miami in MAC opener

By Eric Avila, Sports Reporter | September 19, 2024

NIU women’s soccer opened conference play with a 1-1 draw on the road against the Miami University Redhawks. “It's a very difficult place to come here, you know, I don't think many teams have come here and won games,” said NIU women’s soccer...

Freshman outside hitter Ava Grevengoed (3) spikes over the net into Northwestern University's blockers on Wednesday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Grevengoed led NIU volleyball in kills with 10 as the Huskies were defeated in three sets by Northwestern on Wednesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Volleyball suffers first sweep of 2024 at Northwestern

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 18, 2024

A bumpy start and a season-worst hitting performance plagued NIU volleyball Wednesday night as the Huskies suffered their first sweep of 2024, falling to once-winless Northwestern University (1-6) at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois. The Huskies...

NIU redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) passes to senior wide receiver Andrew McElroy (19) late in the fourth quarter of a 16-14 victory over the University of Notre Dame on Sept. 7 at Notre Dame Stadium. Hampton was 10-of-19 passing for 198 yards and a touchdown. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

COLUMN: Notre Dame, NC State among NIU rooting interests in Week 4

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 18, 2024

NIU football remains one of the top programs in the country after getting some help from a pair of Power Four schools during its well-deserved bye week in Week 3 to climb to No. 23 in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll. The Huskies will...

The NIU men's soccer team huddles together Monday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Despite Monday's win over Mercyhurst University, Sports Reporter Kalin Schaefer believe the Huskies are still in need of significant improvements. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

COLUMN: Men’s soccer has a long way to go

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | September 17, 2024

Ending last season with a trip to the MVC Championship Tournament semifinals, NIU men’s soccer started its 2024 season with expectations to continue to grow. So far, those expectations have not been met.  NIU men’s soccer holds a record of 2-5...

Junior forward Kelsi McLaughlin (4) beats Valparaiso freshman defender Ashley Trippeer (20) to the ball. McLaughlin was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week on Tuesday after scoring a goal in each of the past two games for NIU women's soccer. (Northern Star File Photo)

McLaughlin earns MAC Offensive Player of Week

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 17, 2024

NIU women’s soccer junior forward Kelsi McLaughlin has been named Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday. McLaughlin found the back of the net with eight seconds remaining in the first half of the Huskies...

Sophomore goalkeeper Atahan Arslan kicks the ball away from the net on Monday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Arslan had 2 saves in a 1-0 victory for men's soccer over Mercyhurst University. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Men’s soccer snaps losing streak with win over Mercyhurst

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | September 16, 2024

DeKALB – NIU men’s soccer (2-5, 0-1 MVC) snapped a four-game losing streak with a 1-0 victory over Mercyhurst University (3-4) – the first win for men’s soccer since Aug. 25. “Coming into this game, we let a couple results get past us,”...

A graphic shows junior forward Kelsi McLaughlin as Huskie of the Week. McLaughlin scored the Huskies’ only goal in a 1-0 victory over Illinois State University on Thursday. McLaughlin also scored NIU’s first goal in its 2-1 victory over Valparaiso University on Sunday. (Eddie Miller I Northern Star)

McLaughlin scores first career Huskie of the Week award

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 16, 2024

NIU women’s soccer junior forward Kelsi McLaughlin earned this week’s Huskie of the Week award for the first time in her collegiate career.  McLaughlin led NIU in scoring this week, accounting for two out of the three goals the Huskies scored.  In...

Junior forward Amber Best (right) is congratulated by the NIU women’s soccer team on the sidelines after her goal in the second period. NIU women's soccer defeated Valparaiso University 2-1 on Sunday to win its sixth game of the season. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Women’s soccer defeats Valparaiso, wins 3rd straight

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | September 15, 2024

NIU women’s soccer (6-1-1) defeated the Valparaiso University Beacons (4-4) by a score of 2-1, earning its sixth win of the season to round out non-conference play.  NIU women’s soccer head coach Michael O’Neill reflected on the win.  “I...

NIU redshirt junior defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard (0) celebrates after the NIU defense forced the University of Notre Dame to punt in the third quarter of the Sept. 7 game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. NIU held Notre Dame to just 123 rushing yards and intercepted senior quarterback Riley Leonard twice in the game. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU jumps to No. 23 in AP Top 25

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 15, 2024

DeKALB – After making The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time in over a decade last week, NIU football climbed two spots in the rankings in the latest poll released Sunday. NIU, who spent the past week on a bye, are now ranked No. 23 in AP...

Freshman outside hitter Emma McCartney winds up for a serve on Aug. 30 against Western Illinois University. NIU volleyball defeated Stony Brook University in four sets to claim its second win of the season. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Volleyball takes down Stony Brook for 2nd win of 2024

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | September 14, 2024

NIU volleyball (2-6) claimed its second win of the season Saturday over the Stony Brook University Seawolves (7-2) in four sets.  COMPLETE PERFORMANCE The Huskies pitched their best performance of the season thus far against Stony Brook, a team...

Freshman defender Tom Dahlin (right) guards University of Missouri-Kansas City sophomore defender Brevyn Cole (left) on Sept. 6 at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU men's soccer was defeated by Bowling Green University 2-1 on Friday for its fourth-straight loss. (Brooke Schliephake | Northern Star)

Men’s soccer drops 4th-straight with loss to Bowling Green

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | September 13, 2024

NIU men’s soccer (1-5, 0-1 MVC) came up short of earning its first conference win, losing to the Bowling Green State University Falcons (5-1, 1-0 MVC) by a score of 2-1.  NIU men’s soccer head coach Ryan Swan reflected on the loss.  “I’m...

Senior middle blocker Charli Atiemo hits the ball over the net on Aug. 30 against Western Illinois University. Atiemo recorded 33 kills and 7 service aces as NIU volleyball lost both games of a doubleheader on Friday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Volleyball falls in doubleheader

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | September 13, 2024

NIU volleyball (1-6) dropped two games Friday, losing both matchups in a doubleheader against the University of Rhode Island Rams (4-6) and the Harvard University Crimson (4-2).  GAME 1 NIU got off to a great start in Friday’s games. The Huskies...