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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

(From left) NIU senior guard Chelby Koker, sophomore forward Laura Nickel, a pair of Western Illinois University players and senior forward A'Jah Davis play during NIU's most recent home game, a 100-61 win over WIU on Nov. 17. Koker and Davis combined for 38 points in NIU's 67-56 win over Lindenwood University on Monday. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Koker, Davis push Huskies to eighth straight win

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 12, 2022

NIU women’s basketball has wrapped up its five-game road trip undefeated after prevailing 67-56 in its first ever meeting with Lindenwood University Monday, pushing the Huskies to their eighth straight win. A fourth quarter offensive stall by the...

Senior defenseman Luke Marks exits the ice for the Huskies locker room after the second period on Nov. 19. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Selfless mindset and rugged defense molds Marks’ hockey identity

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | December 5, 2022
Sophomore defenseman Luke Marks had made his mark on NIU hockey as a young leader on a rebuilding team.
Players from NIU hockey celebrate around their goal moments after securing their first win of the season on Saturday. NIU defeated McKendree 5-3, splitting the weekend series. (Skyler Kisellus | Northern Star)

Losers no more: NIU snaps 17-game skid

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | December 3, 2022

WEST DUNDEE – NIU hockey finally snapped its 17-game losing streak Saturday night, downing McKendree University by a final score of 5-3 to earn a series split. The much anticipated win was the Huskies’ (1-17, 1-9 MCH) first of the season, and put...

Senior defenseman Alec Porzondek watches NIU’s forecheck against the Illinois State University Redbirds during the last game of the home series on Nov. 19. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Missed scoring chances prove costly for Huskies

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | December 3, 2022

WEST DUNDEE – NIU’s inability to finish scoring chances was the main catalyst in its 6-1 loss at the hands of McKendree University Friday at Canlan Ice Sports.  The loss extended NIU hockey’s (0-17, 0-9 MCH) losing streak to 17 games while stretching...

Sophomore running back Harrison Waylee runs out of bounds during NIU’s loss to the University of Toledo in the 115th Homecoming Game on Oct. 8 at Huskie Stadium. Waylee rushed for 899 yards in 2022. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Harrison Waylee enters transfer portal

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 2, 2022
NIU sophomore running back Harrison Waylee announced his entrance to the NCAA transfer portal Friday. This is the second straight season that NIU will be tasked with replacing its leading rusher.
Sophomore defenseman Luke Marks manuevers the puck around John Carroll University junior forward Tyler Lamark during a game on Sept. 16 at Canlan Ice Sports in West Dundee. (Beverly Buchinger | NIU Hockey)

Hockey preparing for final shot at victory before winter break

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | December 1, 2022

DeKALB – The Huskies hockey team (0-16, 0-8 MCH) will look to enter winter break in the win column when they take on McKendree University (6-8, 4-4 MCH) in a two-game home series Friday and Saturday. This weekend will be the teams’ first meeting...

Redshirt senior goalkeeper Martin Sanchez walks on the field during NIU's match against the University of Illinois Chicago on Sept. 12 at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. (Milly Landa | Northern Star)

Family inspired Sanchez’s NIU soccer career

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter | November 30, 2022

DeKALB –  NIU men's soccer's redshirt senior goalkeeper Martin Sanchez comes from a family of soccer players who influenced his decision to play soccer. “I’ve played soccer my whole life, I didn’t play any other sports,” Sanchez said. “Looking...

Two Huskies declare for 2023 NFL Draft

Two Huskies declare for 2023 NFL Draft

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 30, 2022

DeKALB – The first two players from NIU football’s 2022 squad have announced their intentions to go pro after senior wide receiver Shemar Thornton and redshirt senior defensive end Michael Kennedy declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on Tuesday via social...

Sophomore cornerback Eric Rogers (left) and junior cornerback Jordan Gandy play in NIU's battle for the Mallory Cup against Miami University on Nov. 16 at Huskie Stadium. Rogers and Gandy announced their plans to leave the football program on Tuesday after spending three seasons at NIU.

Huskies losing two top defensive backs

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 30, 2022

DeKALB – Two starting cornerbacks are set to depart NIU football after sophomore Eric Rogers and junior Jordan Gandy announced their plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Tuesday. Rogers and Gandy arrived at NIU before the 2020 season – Rogers...

Then-redshirt senior wide receiver Cole Tucker runs on the field during the second half of NIU's 115th homecoming game against the University of Toledo Rockets on Oct. 8 at Huskie Stadium. Tucker played his final game at NIU on Nov. 26, becoming the eighth player in NIU history to reach 2,000 receiving yards on his career. (Northern Star File Photo)

Cole Tucker leaves a lasting legacy at NIU

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | November 29, 2022
NIU’s longtime pass-catcher, Cole Tucker, makes his exit from the college stage with a legacy that won’t soon be forgotten.
Huskie Stadium awaits the first home game of the season in the last week of August (Sean Reed | Northern Star).

Four football players enter transfer portal

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 28, 2022

DeKALB – The NIU football team has taken more hits to its roster after four players entered the NCAA transfer portal on Monday via social media posts. Redshirt junior left tackle Marques Cox, redshirt defensive tackle Jeffrey Griffin Jr., sophomore...

Sophomore running back Mason Blakemore rushes during NIU’s season opener against Eastern Illinois University on Sept. 1 at Huskie Stadium. Blakemore announced his intent to transfer on Sunday. (Ivan Meza | Northern Star)

NIU loses running back depth to transfer portal

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 28, 2022
Mason Blakemore becomes the first NIU player to enter the transfer portal this offseason after NIU’s turbulent 3-9 season.