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Northern Star

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU graduate student right side hitter Isabelle Percoco celebrates after a rally in the Huskies’ season-opener against Chicago State University on Aug. 25 at the NIU Convocation Center. NIU split its recent away series against Bowling Green State University on Thursday and Friday to begin MAC play at .500. (Courtesy NIU Athletics)

COLUMN: Volleyball may have found its spark

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 25, 2023

NIU volleyball’s non-conference schedule began with a 1-3 start to mark the beginning of a new era. After just two matches against conference competition, the Huskies have set themselves up for the opportunity to flip the script and roll to a 3-1 start...

Graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann earned her first career honor after her performances against Bowling Green State University on Thursday and Friday. Erdmann recorded 17 kills in a 3-2 victory over the Falcons on Friday. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Erdmann collects Huskie of the Week after double double-doubles

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 25, 2023

DeKALB – A pair of double-double performances against Bowling Green State University have enabled NIU volleyball graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann to take home her first Huskie of the Week honor. The Forreston native was a key factor...

Huskie junior forward Taisei Arima rushes the ball upfield during NIU men's soccer's Missouri Valley Conference opener against Missorui State on Sept. 16. The Huskies lost the game by a final score of 3-0. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Men’s soccer falters in second straight shutout

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 25, 2023

DeKALB – Two late goals from Evansville (3-4-2, 1-1 MVC) powered the Purple Aces to a 2-0 victory over NIU men’s soccer (2-6, 0-2 MVC) Saturday.  Saturday’s loss was the Huskies’ fourth consecutive loss and their second straight game being...

Freshman forward Tyra King (5) heads the ball toward sophomore defender Angelina Briggs (9) and senior defender Abby Adams during the Huskies' Sunday game against Toledo. On Sunday, the Huskies tied with Toledo 1-1. (Melody Elbel | Northern Star)

Huskies knot Toledo behind late Thompson goal

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 24, 2023

DeKALB – Senior defender Amara Thompkins played the savior for NIU women’s soccer with the equalizing goal in Sunday’s MAC battle in DeKalb. An assist from senior midfielder Madison Frazer enabled the Huskie veteran to boot her first goal of...

This week in Huskie sports graphic featuring various NIU sports in action from the fall season. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Women’s tennis, football highlight week in NIU sports

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 24, 2023

This Week in Huskie Sports: Sept. 25 to Oct. 1 DeKALB – Athletics begins another week of sports, highlighted by women’s tennis’ season opener and football’s trip to Toledo. FOOTBALL Saturday, Sept. 30: vs. University of Toledo, 2:30 p.m. Toledo,...

Freshman defenseman Jim Franklin and freshman forward Micah Maldonado rush the puck up the ice during NIU hockey's game against Kent State University on Sept. 16. NIU lost the game by a final score of 4-3. (Beverly Buchinger | NIU hockey)

Illinois sneaks past hockey in close contest

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | September 24, 2023

CHAMPAIGN – A second-period face mask penalty ended up making a big difference in NIU hockey’s (0-4) series finale at the University of Illinois (2-0), who dropped a tight contest by a final score of 4-2.  Huskie freshman forward Micah Maldonado...

Then-sophomore Ben Sluzas shoots down range at the NCAA Regional in Salem, South Carolina on May 16. The Huskies won the MAC title, shooting an 896 (Mike Hasse | NIU Athletics)

Ben Sluzas named MAC Co-Golfer of the Week

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | September 23, 2023

DeKALB – After finishing tied for eighth place at this weekend’s VCU Shootout, junior Ben Sluzas was honored with MAC Co-Golfer of the Week.  At the tournament, Sluzas finished the three rounds shooting a 285, setting his 54-hole career best score.  Sluzas...

NIU offensive line sets against Tulsa defensive line during Saturday's game at the Huskie Stadium. On Saturday, the Huskies were defeated by Tulsa 22-14. (Cameron Whittington | Northern Star)

Quarterback carousel not enough in Huskies’ loss

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 23, 2023

DeKALB – A change at quarterback was not enough to get the Huskies offense rolling, as NIU football (1-3) fell to the University of Tulsa (2-2) 22-14 Saturday.  Saturday’s game was more of the same of what has been seen through the first three...

Graduate forward Nick Gonzalez celebrates after scoring a goal in NIU hockey's game against Kent State University on Sept. 16. The Huskies lost the game by a final score of 4-3. (Beverly Buchinger | NIU hockey)

Hockey shutout in Champaign

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | September 23, 2023

CHAMPAIGN – Despite a heroic performance from junior goaltender Grant Goodson, NIU hockey (0-3) couldn’t find any offense in its 4-0 shutout loss to the University of Illinois (1-0) Friday. The Huskies have lost their first three contests, giving...

NIU graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann serves the ball during NIU's Sept. 15 match against the University of Dayton Flyers at the UNI Tournament. Erdmann recorded a double-double in both of the Huskies' matches against Bowling Green State University on Thursday and Friday. (Logan Colglaizer | UNI Athletics)

Huskies survive 5-set firefight in Bowling Green

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 22, 2023

In the thick of a MACtion showdown that began with a lopsided opening set and ended in a five-set thriller, the NIU volleyball team engineered its best in-game turnaround of the season to claim its first MAC victory. NIU (3-11, 1-1 MAC) outlasted Bowling...

NIU junior guard David Coit (11) hangs his head after a Huskie foul just before the half on March 9. Coit was selected to the preseason All-MAC First Team on Thursday.  (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Coit, Williams receive preseason All-MAC honors

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | September 22, 2023

DeKALB — With just over a month until the 2023-24 season opener, junior guard David Coit and senior guard Keshawn Williams received preseason All-MAC recognition from the Almanac  – a yearly publication containing facts and information on college...

Graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann, junior libero Crew Hoffmeier, junior middle blocker Charli Atiemo, sophomore defensive specialist Olivia Hogan, junior defensive specialist Jada Cerniglia and senior setter Ella Mihacevich celebrate after a rally during Friday’s season-opening match against Chicago State University at the NIU Convocation Center. The Huskies were defeated 3-2. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Volleyball falls in four to Falcons

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 22, 2023

Playing in front of a crowd of 865 in enemy territory, the NIU volleyball team churned out 20 kills, .333 hitting and 30 points in the opening frame of Thursday’s MAC opener against Bowling Green State University — the reigning league champions.  The...