The Leathernecks lost the first of their 16 total matches this season, in a game that was dominated by the Northern Illinois Huskies. Falling to 0-1 on the season, the Leathernecks will travel to Chicago St. on Sunday to play the Cougars. 

The match started slow early on, as no one was able to find the net in the first half. NIU (1-0) was able to put the pressure on early, as they had three shots and four corners in the first 23 minutes of the match. The Leathernecks were able to put the pressure on late in the first, as they didn't allow a Huskies player to shoot until the end of the period. 

Things quickly changed in the second half, as Northern Illinois scored a goal in the 4th minute of the latter period. WIU responded by putting the pressure on and drawing multiple corners and taking shots, but were not lucky enough to see the ball go into the back of the net. NIU would score two more goals in the second period, ('60, '79) which would prove to be too much for the Leathernecks. Western would see a few more chances go awry as the Huskies emerged victorious at John MacKenzie Alumni Field. 

Senior midfielder Sydnee Sagal, freshman midfielder Alanna Pennington, senior midfielder Elise Bush, and senior midfielder Audrey Narine each tallied a shot a piece for WIU. Senior keeper Isabel Navas Rodriguez saved two Huskies' shot attempts. 

The Leathernecks look to Sunday as they have their first road test of the season against the Chicago State Cougars.