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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Kalin Schaefer

Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor

Kalin Schaefer is the assistant sports editor at the Northern Star, covering NIU men’s soccer and women’s tennis. She is a sophomore majoring in history with a minor in dance. After graduation, she hopes to get her license to teach high school history and government. Kalin joined the Northern Star in September of 2023 as a sports reporter. In her free time, Kalin enjoys spending time with friends and family, walking her dogs, watching sports and traveling.

All content by Kalin Schaefer
Senior forward Zachariah Thomas (7) shoots the ball between defenders on Friday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Thomas scored a goal in the 63rd minute on Wednesday as NIU men's soccer tied Bradley University in the season finale. (Northern Star File Photo)

Men’s soccer ties Bradley in final match

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
November 7, 2024
Freshman Irmak Budak (left) and junior Jenna Horne (right) high five after earning the point against Lewis University. NIU women's tennis won 29 of 32 matches at the NIU Huskie Invitational from Friday to Sunday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Women’s tennis shines at NIU Huskie Invitational

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
November 3, 2024
Sophomore defender Ethan Wilson (5) passes the ball on Friday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU men's soccer was eliminated from playoff contention with a 3-2 loss to Drake University on Friday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Men’s soccer ends playoff hopes after loss to Drake

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
November 2, 2024
Graduate student midfielder Abby Zipse (15) jumps in celebration after scoring a goal from her corner kick with four minutes remaining on Sunday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU women's soccer tied 1-1 against the University of Toledo Rockets for the Huskies' final home game of the season. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Women’s soccer ties Toledo in final home match

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
October 27, 2024
The NIU men's soccer team forms a huddle during its match against the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix on Sept. 1. The Huskies fell to Missouri State University by a score of 7-0 on Sunday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies drop fourth straight to Missouri State

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
October 6, 2024
Sophomore forward Sam Divis (11) races University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee freshman defender Ryan Beghauer (12) to the ball near midfield on Tuesday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU men's soccer lost 4-2 to the University of Illinois Chicago on Saturday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Men’s soccer burned by UIC Flames

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
September 29, 2024
Redshirt freshman midfielder Joe Hernandez (left) battles for the ball with University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee redshirt sophomore defender Mitch Goodman on Tuesday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU men's soccer was shut out for the second game in a row as the Huskies lost 2-0 to Milwaukee. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Milwaukee shuts out men’s soccer

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
September 24, 2024
Redshirt freshman midfielder Joe Hernandez (22) fights to gain possession of the ball against Mercyhurst senior midfielder Callum Cleary (20) on Monday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU men's soccer lost 4-0 to Western Illinois University on Friday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Men’s soccer shut down by Western Illinois

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
September 20, 2024
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, Assistant Sports Editor
September 17, 2024
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, Assistant Sports Editor
September 15, 2024
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, Assistant Sports Editor
September 12, 2024
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, Assistant Sports Editor
September 8, 2024
Freshman defender Tom Dahlin stands near the sidelines Friday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU men's soccer lost 6-2 to the University of Missouri-Kansas City, dropping its third-consecutive game. (Brooke Schliephake | Northern Star)

Men’s soccer crushed in third-straight loss

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
September 6, 2024
Junior defender Jordyn Saddler controls the ball Aug. 29 against University of Southern Indiana. NIU women's soccer lost 4-0 to the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Thursday, its first loss of the 2024 season. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Women’s soccer collects first loss at Notre Dame

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
September 5, 2024
Senior forward Zachariah Thomas (7) dribbles the ball around a Chicago State University defender on Sunday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU men's soccer lost 5-1 Thursday to the University of Memphis. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Men’s soccer trampled 5-1 in Memphis

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
August 29, 2024
Junior forward Taylor Davis winds up a kick on Sunday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU men's soccer defeated Chicago State University 4-2 in the Huskies' 2024 home opener. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Men’s soccer takes home opener 4-2

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
August 25, 2024
Freshman Saul Berdullas (left) and senior Armin Koschtojan (right) talk strategy during a doubles match on March 2. NIU men's tennis was eliminated from the MAC Championship on Saturday with a 4-0 loss to the University of Toledo. (Northern Star File Photo)

Men’s tennis eliminated by Toledo

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
April 21, 2024
Sophomore Jenna Horne prepares to serve at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. Horne sealed a 4-3 victory for NIU women's tennis on Friday with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) win in the final match of the day. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Women’s tennis inches past Ball State

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
April 20, 2024
Sophomore Jenna Horne awaits an opponent's serve at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House on March 9. NIU women's tennis lost its second consecutive match as they fell 6-1 to the University of Toledo. (Northern Star File Photo)

Women’s tennis loses 6-1, starts losing skid

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
April 13, 2024
NIU junior Reagan Welch prepares to return a serve on March 9. Welch's singles win earned the only point for NIU women's tennis Sunday in a 6-1 loss to Western Michigan University. (Northern Star File Photo)

Women’s tennis routed 6-1 by Western Michigan

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
April 8, 2024
NIU senior Armin Koschtojan gets set to serve in a doubles match on March 2. Koschtojan was one of five NIU men's tennis players to win a singles match in a 5-2 win over the University at Buffalo Friday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Men’s tennis grabs fifth straight MAC win

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
April 6, 2024
NIU sophomore Christopher Norlin celebrates during a doubles match on March 2. Norlin won in singles and doubles as NIU men's tennis defeated University of Illinois Chicago 6-1 Saturday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Men’s tennis thumps UIC, wins fifth straight

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
March 31, 2024
Sophomore Jenna Horne awaits a strike from her opponent at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. Women's tennis fell 1-6 to Eastern Michigan University Friday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Women’s tennis crushed by Eastern Michigan

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
March 30, 2024
NIU sophomore Nataly Ninova prepares for a strike against Eastern Illinois University on March 9. Ninova and her doubles partner, junior Erika Dimitriev, earned MAC Doubles Team of the Week honors, along with NIU seniors Mikael Vollbach and Cheng En Tsai. (Northern Star File Photo)

Tennis Sweeps MAC Doubles Team of the Week

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
March 28, 2024
Then-junior Mikael Vollbach stands ready to receive a serve during men's tennis' match against the University of Illinois Chicago on Feb. 22, 2023. Vollbach won all three of his matches Saturday, including his doubles match with senior Cheng En Tsai and the dual-clinching singles match against University of Nebraska Omaha. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Men’s tennis take two decisive victories

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
March 3, 2024
Junior Reagan Welch prepares for a strike at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. Welch won her singles match against Valparaiso University sophomore Elizabeth Sobieski Saturday, as well as her doubles match with senior Anastasia Rakita. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Women’s tennis sneaks past Valparaiso

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
February 27, 2024
Sophomore Isabella Righi sets up her serve in an NIU women's tennis home meet. Righi won her match against Chicago State sophomore Amina Taibi 6-2, 6-4 as women's tennis defeated the Cougars 4-3 Sunday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Women’s tennis goes 1-1 in Chicago area road trip

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
February 20, 2024
Senior Diana Lukyanova prepares to return a shot in an NIU women's tennis home meet. Lukyanova and sophomore Isabella Righi were named the MAC Doubles Team of the Week on Thursday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Lukyanova, Righi named MAC Doubles Team of the Week

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
February 15, 2024
Sophomore Nataly Ninova (left) and junior Erika Dimitriev celebrate a point during an NIU women's tennis home match against the University of Wisconsin on Saturday. The pair won their doubles match against the University of Iowa and each won their singles match against the University of Northern Iowa on Friday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Women’s tennis shines in doubles

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
February 10, 2024
Junior Erika Dimitriev awaits a serve in a match against University of Wisconsin-Madison on Jan. 20. Dimitriev won in both singles and doubles in NIU's win over Bellarmine University on Saturday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Women’s tennis squeaks past Bellarmine

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
February 4, 2024
Sophomore Jenna Horne prepares for a shot against the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Jan. 20. Horne won her doubles match with junior Reagan Welch 6-3 against Marquette University. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Women’s tennis pummels Marquette, earns first win

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
February 2, 2024
NIU cheerleaders perform their opening routine at a home NIU football game on Sept. 9. NIU football averaged 9,198 fans per game during the 2022 season, good for last out of all FBS schools. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Why are NIU stadium seats so empty?

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
November 29, 2023
Senior midfielder Camilo Estrada receives a pass in men's soccer's match against Loyola-Chicago on Sept. 26. Despite a loss in the MVC semifinals, heroic performances from the Huskies' defense is a building block for the future. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

COLUMN: Reviewing men’s soccer’s surprising season

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
November 27, 2023
From left: Then-NIU junior catcher Colin Summerhill (8), then-junior shortstop Andre Demetral (1), then-redshirt sophomore pitcher Matt Salomonson (34), then-junior second baseman Aaron Harper (22) and then-junior first baseman Andrew Smart (27) approach the pitcher's mound early into the Huskies’ game against Ohio University on March 24. New head coach Ryan Copeland announced 13 new recruits for the 2025 season. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Baseball announces 13 new recruits

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
November 27, 2023
Then-senior Luis Hernandez handles the ball during a game at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Hernandez and senior goalkeeper Jakub Rojek were named to the MVC All-Tournament team. (Northern Star File Photo)

Rojek, Hernandez named to MVC All-Tournament team

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
November 13, 2023
Senior goalkeeper Jakub Rojek stands in the goal ready to block a shot. Rojek turned away 9 Western Michigan shots in men's soccer's 3-1 loss in the MVC semifinals on Wednesday in Kalamazoo. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Men’s soccer eliminated from MVC Tournament

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
November 8, 2023
The Ellwood House Museum sits in the snow. The Museum has announced its schedule for the 2023 holiday season. (Northern Star File Photo)

Holiday schedule announced for Ellwood House Museum

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
November 6, 2023
Sophomore midfielder Angel Rodriguez navigates the ball through a Loyola defender. Rodriguez scored the game-winning goal late in the Huskies' game against Bowling Green State University on Wednesday. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Arima’s goal lifts men’s soccer to playoffs

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
November 1, 2023
Junior forward Taisei Arima rushes the ball up the field in men's soccer's MVC opener against Missouri State. The Huskies were shut out by the University of Illinois Chicago by a final score of 2-0 Friday. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Men’s soccer’s offense burned by Flames

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
October 28, 2023
Senior goalkeeper Jakub Rojek protects the net during NIU's men's soccer's game against Aurora University on Sept. 4. The Huskies will need Rojek to keep up his strong play in order to make the MVP tournament. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

COLUMN: Men’s soccer’s offense must prove itself

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
October 23, 2023
Senior goalkeeper Jakub Rojek stands in front of the net during an NIU men's soccer home game. Rojek was named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Rojek named MVC Defensive Player of the Week

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
October 18, 2023
Senior midfielder Eddie Knight (19) dribbles past Aurora's defenders, going in for his second goal in the first half on Sept. 4. Knight is tied for the team lead in goals with three. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

COLUMN: Men’s soccer entering crucial stretch

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
October 16, 2023
A gas pump sits in front of a gas station on a sunny day. Gas prices are down nearly 75 cents from Oct. 2022. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Illinois gas prices continue to drop

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
October 9, 2023
Taylor Swift performs in a pink and blue sequined bodysuit during her Era's tour. Since rumors of Swift dating Chief's player Travis Kelce blew up over social media, football fans and Swifties alike are confused about what the big deal is. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Explaining Swifties for sports fans

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
October 9, 2023
Sophomore midfielder Angel Rodriguez guides the ball on Aug. 27 at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex against the University of Memphis. Rodriguez scored the lone goal against the Tigers. (Photo courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Men’s soccer halts winless skid at Marquette

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
October 2, 2023

Women’s tennis shines at Hoosier Invitational

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
October 2, 2023
Junior forward Taisei Arima battles for the ball during men's soccer's game against Missouri State University on Sept. 16. The Huskies were shut out by the Bears by a final score of 3-0. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Men’s soccer vs Loyola ruled no-contest

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
September 26, 2023
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