The Northern Illinois women's soccer team kicked off it's season with a win Friday, as the Huskies beat Valparaiso, 1-0. An own goal in the fourth minute of play allowed the Huskies to grab their first victory of the season.
The Huskies recorded the lone point of the evening just 3:59 into the game when Kelly Mullany struck a long ball into the box and a Crusader defender headed the ball away, knocking it into her own goal.
In the first half the Huskies put the Crusader defense to work as they outshot Valparaiso 9-5. Juniors Christen Schuler, Kylie Revelle and Kim Schmitt each recorded a shot on goal. NIU also earned the majority of corner kicks in the first half, recording four to Valparaiso's one.
"We had a good start," NIU coach Carrie Barker said. "We controlled the ball well in the first half and hadseveral opportunities to score. We were able to get a win on the road, we won our first game, and I am very happy with that. We still have a lot of things we need to work on as we head into our next game."
The Crusaders battled back in the second half, out shooting the Huskies 6-3, but the Huskies were able to hold Valparaiso to a scoreless game. Goalkeeper Lindsey Curnock recorded three saves for the Huskies, and earned her 28th career shutout, the most by any Huskie goalkeeper
