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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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The NIU women's basketball team huddles together on Feb.10 after a win over Georgia Southern University. The 2024-25 women's basketball non-conference schedule was released on Friday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Women’s basketball releases full 2024-25 schedule

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 13, 2024

NIU athletics announced the release of NIU women’s basketball’s non-conference schedule Friday after releasing the Mid-American Conference schedule in August.  The Huskies enter a national stage on Nov. 6 facing off against the University of Iowa...

Sophomore forward Kara Machala (23) chases the ball along the sidelines on Aug. 29 against the University of Southern Indiana. NIU women's soccer defeated Illinois State University 1-0 on Thursday, winning its fifth game of the season. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies sneak past Illinois State

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | September 12, 2024

NIU women’s soccer (5-1-1) narrowly defeated the Illinois State University Redbirds (2-4-1) by a score of 1-0, winning a match against the Redbirds for the first time since 1998.  NIU women’s soccer head coach Michael O’Neill reflected on the...

Freshman outside hitter Ava Grevengoed prepares for a serve on Aug. 30 against Western Illinois University. Sports Reporter James Bennett believes Grevengoed and freshman setter Ella Strausberger are key pieces for the future of NIU volleyball. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

COLUMN: NIU volleyball’s freshman duo is bringing hope to the program

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | September 11, 2024

NIU volleyball’s 2024 campaign has gotten off to a slow start. The Huskies have opened up with a 1-4 record and have struggled with their efficiency and consistency thus far this season.  Despite these struggles, it hasn’t been all bad for the...

Senior Caroline Kent watches her drive from the tee box on her follow-through. Kent tied for 20th place at the Redbird Invitational Monday as the Huskies finished in a tie for fifth place. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Women’s golf takes 5th at Redbird Invitational

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | September 9, 2024

NIU women’s golf kicked off its fall season at the Redbird Invitational, tying for fifth place out of 15 teams.  The Huskies finished the invitational in a tie with the University of South Dakota, as both teams’ final scores were 37 over par.  NIU...

Freshman defender Julianna Hill winds up to clear the ball on Aug.  29 against the University of Southern Indiana. NIU women's soccer defeated Eastern Illinois University 3-0 Sunday for its fourth win of the season. (Northern Star File Photo)

Women’s soccer shuts down EIU 3-0

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | September 8, 2024

NIU women’s soccer (4-1-1) bounced back from a 4-0 loss at the University of Notre Dame on Thursday to beat the Eastern Illinois University Panthers (2-4-2) in a dominant 3-0 shutout Sunday.  NIU women’s soccer head coach Michael O’Neill reflected...

Freshman outside hitter Ava Grevengoed spikes over the net on Aug. 30 against Western Illinois University. Grevengoed recorded her fourth-straight double-double Saturday as NIU volleyball lost in four sets to the University of St. Thomas. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Volleyball falls in 4 sets to St. Thomas

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | September 7, 2024

NIU volleyball (1-4) returned to the loss column Friday, losing in four sets to the University of St. Thomas Tommies (3-3). After losing the opening frame, the Huskies showed fight by claiming the second set, but St. Thomas shut the door in sets three...