For the first time in nine years, NIU women’s soccer will host a playoff game.

The Huskies (9-5-4, 6-3-2) won their final match of the regular season 1-0 over Western Michigan Thursday. The victory clinched the third seed in the MAC and home-field advantage in the first round of the MAC Tournament.

Kelly Mullany scored her second goal of the season in the game’s 11th minute on an assist from Karen Enockson.

Thea Johnson sent a cross into the box, that Enockson passed back to Mullany, who buried the ball into the net, Mullany said.

“Thea and Karen did most of the work and I just put it in,” Mullany said. “I was just in the right place at the right time, I guess.”

NIU out-shot the Broncos 11-5 in Thursday’s win. Goalkeeper Lindsey Curnock picked up her seventh shutout of the season while making three saves.

“This was a great win to solidify us having our first MAC Tournament game at home,” said head coach Marci Miller-Jobson. “The girls fought hard and played well.”

The Huskies finished up the regular season 4-0-1 in their last five decisions. They look to ride that momentum into Sunday’s match, which will be the first home playoff game for NIU since 1998, when the Huskies won the MAC Championship.

“We’re excited about it, but we’re just looking forward to the next game,” Mullany said. “Marci and [associate head coach Paul Jobson] have done a great job just keeping us focused. We were just focused on this game and getting past that, not worrying about what comes next.”

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