Sept. 16, 2012

USD-NIU box score 

DEKALB, Ill.—South Dakota lost its sixth game of the season 4-1 at the hands of Northern Illinois. Four different girls scored goals for the well-balanced Husky attack.

Northern Illinois (4-3) surprised the Coyotes with three early strikes to open up a commanding lead. One minute into the game USD goalkeeper Jen Schaefer (Cary, N.C.) made a save on a header by Lauren Noonan, but Courtney Ksiazek was able to corral the loose ball and score on a put back. NIU added two more goals before the 15 minute mark, the first off a Cori Frankenberg shot to the near post and another on a rebound off the crossbar.

“We came out flat against a good team who had fresh legs and made us pay,” said head coach Mandy Green. “We settled in after the first 15 minutes and played better the rest of the way.”

USD’s goal came on a penalty kick at the 72:09 mark. Erin Bello (Fort Collins, Colo.) stepped in and calmly beat keeper Amy Carr to bring the Coyotes (1-6-2) within two, but eight minutes later Kate Wirthlin knocked in the Huskies’ final goal to seal the victory.

South Dakota’s offense only got five shots up and was stifled all day by strong play from the Huskies back line.

Schaefer and Abby Lindsay (Plymouth, Minn.) split the game in goal for USD, with Schaefer playing the first half and Lindsay the second. Each made three saves.

“We got better as a team this weekend and learned some good lessons. We have a chance to get improve in practice this week, and we’ll sort things out and get back after it next weekend,” Green said.

The Coyotes have a week off before heading to Ames, Iowa, to take on the Iowa State Cyclones Sunday at noon.