DeKALB – The Northern Illinois women's soccer team battled Bowling Green (4-5-1) to a 1-1 tie in the Huskies' Mid-American Conference opener Friday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Annie Wyer led the Huskies (4-4-1) with one goal in the contest.
In the 27th minute of play, the NIU offense battled Falcon defenders in front of the goal after receiving the ball off a cornerkick from Lisa Maier. A block from a defender gave Wyer control of the ball, who then netted the ball to record the first goal of the contest. Wyer's goal marked her first of the season.
The Falcons quickly answered back when Alyssa Zuccaro netted the ball just two minutes later. After receiving the ball from Megan Amann, Zuccaro was able to break away from Huskie defenders to find the net in the 29th minute of play, bringing the game to a 1-1 tie.
After outshooting the Falcons, 4-1, and recording three cornerkicks to their two in the first half, NIU and Bowling Green remained fairly even for the remainder of the contest. The Huskies tallied ten shots to Bowling Green's six, with five cornerkicks to the Falcons four in the contest.
Goalkeeper Lindsey Curnock preserved the tie for the Huskies, recording four saves to bring her career total to 244.
"Welcome to MAC play," NIU coach Carrie Barker said. "Every game is going to be this tight and this physical. To get a point against a team this good, I'll take it. Now, we move forward and focus on the next game."
