When senior Lindsey Curnock came to NIU in August, 2006 the NIU women’s soccer shutout record for a goalkeeper was seven.

Now, it’s 28.

At this point, it goes way past a school record. Curnock’s latest shutout, a 0-0 draw against Toledo, put her at the top of the MAC record book as she surpassed Central Michigan’s Anne Decker’s (2003-2006) 27 shutouts. It’s a feat that Curnock is still trying to wrap her mind around.

“It won’t really set in until after I’m done,” Curnock said.

The Batavia native was thrown into the fire freshman year when the Huskie’s starting goalie was unable to play because of an ACL injury.

“She was extremely athletic and we knew she would learn quickly,” said Marci Jobson, the Huskies head coach during Curnock’s first two years. “We knew after her freshman year that she was going to be very good.”

That talent was immediately apparent to teammate and roommate of four years Micaela Damas.

“No one gave her any credit freshmen year,” Damas said. “She got her shot to play and she has been dominating ever since.”

After recording seven shutouts in her first season, Curnock continued her domination with nine more while allowing just nine goals during her sophomore campaign.

Following the season, current head coach Carrie Barker took over the reigns as Jobson left to coach the Baylor University women’s soccer team. While doing research on her new team Barker was impressed with what she found.

“Lindsey’s a determined athlete,” Barker said. “With her drive I knew that she was going to be a great leader.”

Curnock’s drive doesn’t end on the field. The psychology major carries a 4.0 grade point average as well. Her love of sports psychology has lead her to NIU’s resident sports psychologist Moira Stuart.

Curnock said Stuart helps her with visualization and stress-relieving techniques.

Maybe it’s that lack of stress that gives her the quiet, zen-like state on the field.

“She’s actually the same way on and off the field,” Damas said. “She’s quiet at first, but once you get her out of her shell she doesn’t stop talking.”

But Barker said she doesn’t need to talk, “[Curnock’s] stats say it all.”

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