Clear skies and a sunny day in DeKalb matched NIU’s (4-7-3, 3-4-1 Horizon League) commanding 3-0 win over Oakland University (1-10-3, 0-6-2 Horizon) on Saturday. 

The Huskies went out on top for the last home game and honored their seniors: midfielders Isabel Struble, Sarah Roy and forward Taite DeLange for Senior Day.

In the first half, DeLange and graduate student defender Angelina Briggs, off the bench, strung two goals in quick succession. Freshman midfielder Abbey Kijewski sealed the win just before the 76th minute, breaking a two-game Huskie slump. 

NIU controlled both ends of the game, firing 17 shots with 6 on target, while the backline limited the Golden Grizzlies’ to only 6 shots, 4 on target. Sophomore defender Lyndsey Miller flaunted her versatility with 2 assists.  

Freshman goalkeeper Alexandra Devory recorded 4 saves and her fourth clean sheet to help NIU climb up one spot in the Horizon — to eighth place with 10 points, only 4 points separated from third. 

Head coach Michael O’Neill celebrated the win and spotlighted the bench production.

“Taite and Briggs coming off the bench to score goals; Abbey actually came off then went back in and scored in the second half. It’s good to have that depth in the squad to lift the group,” O’Neill said. “Legs are tired and teams are pushing through some of those physical challenges. So, I was really impressed with the bench; when their name was called, they were ready.”

FIRST HALF

The opening minutes were contested, but neither team could establish solid control, trading fouls instead.

NIU, via sophomore defender Elle Wainscott, tried to get the attack flowing seconds into the 17th minute with a shot, but it went wide. However, this started an aggressive spell for NIU, generating three more shots until Oakland responded with their own one, but the Huskies’ drew first blood in the 32nd minute. 

Their high line allowed Miller to find space inside Oakland’s final third. DeLange received a pass from Miller inside the box, took a sharp turn with the ball on her right then drove it past Oakland redshirt junior goalkeeper Maryn Weiger, 1-0 NIU.

Less than two minutes later, NIU drew a free kick seemingly out of goal range. Briggs, on the dead ball, delivered it straight into the Golden Grizzlies’ top right corner for the 2-0.

Oakland generated 3 shots, 2 from long-range in the closing minutes as NIU’s defense stood tall, defending the 2-0 lead.

SECOND HALF

The Huskies poured the pressure in the second half while Oakland’s offensive output plummeted. 

NIU let off 5 unanswered shots in the first 19 minutes of this half. In the 56th minute, redshirt sophomore midfielder Mckenna Campbell-Turkalj connected with the crossbar with a shot just outside the box, nearly finding the third goal. 

The Golden Grizzlies forced more saves from Devory in search of their first, but no luck. 

After several blunt Oakland possessions, the third Huskie goal struck in the 76th minute. Miller combined with redshirt junior defender Jordin Kadiri to set up an unmarked Kijewski for a low driven shot inside the box, 3-0 NIU; Kijewski’s first goal of the season, joining DeLange and Briggs.

With 15 minutes remaining, NIU looked closer to another goal with 2 more shots. Oakland ended on the ropes while NIU collected three points. 

DeLange commented on finding her first goal of the season and the team’s performance. 

“It was a huge one; just the way that we bounced back from Thursday after a tough loss. We focused on what we could do as a team this week,” DeLange said. “Being a new transfer here, I really wanted to set my mark. It didn’t work out the way I wanted to, but being able to get one for the team today was big for confidence.” 

UP NEXT — The Huskies prepare for a three-game road trip to close out conference play; starting against third-place Youngstown State University. Kickoff will be at 5 p.m. on Thursday at Farmers National Bank Field in Youngstown, Ohio.

“Youngstown, a really good team, we’re heading there on Wednesday to play Thursday night, but the focus will be making sure that we do the things that led to success today.” O’Neill said.