Anticipation grew as fans and parents waited patiently for the NIU men’s soccer team to begin their home opener on Aug. 22.

The team practiced shooting drills, coaches taught from the sidelines and fans cheered from the bleachers at Huskie Stadium.

All were ready to watch NIU take on the Big East’s Marquette University in a three, 40-minute period exhibition match-up.

However, despite the preparation, things started out shaky. Before the opening whistle even blew, technical problems had some fans shaking their heads. A goal by Marquette’s Nick Kay three minutes into the game didn’t help bring in cheers for NIU either.

“I thought we really had the nerves in the first period,” said NIU head coach Steve Simmons. “[The] guys weren’t sharp and [Marquette] scored in the first three minutes, which shouldn’t happen at this level.”

Simmons said his team got over their nerves and pulled together in the second period.

Midfielder Brad Horton, named one of College Soccer News’ “100 Freshmen to Keep an Eye On,” put the Huskies on the board with a penalty kick in the 49th minute.

“I was just thinking don’t even look at the crowd, when he blows the whistle just take it,” Horton said. “It went in and I just felt relieved.”

After the penalty kick, the Huskies got back into rhythm to finish up 2-1 at the end of the second period. Sophomore Juan Hoyos tallied the second goal after finishing a throw in play by Horton.

Marquette answered late in the third to end the game in a 2-2 tie. NIU previously lost an exhibition game to DePaul earlier in the week, but Simmons said he was happy with how the team played.

“There were spurts I was happy with and there were some spurts I wasn’t happy with,” Simmons said. “I think the turning point of this match was when we had a couple chances to put it away, and didn’t.”

Looking to the regular season

Simmons said Huskie fans can look forward to a season full of commitment and dedication. Although the team has a chip on their shoulder from last year’s disappointing finish, Simmons wants to go for a National Championship.

NIU ended last season 1-3-1 in the MAC with a 7-9-4 overall record. With only six conference games on the schedule, Simmons hopes the team can take advantage of its talent this season.

Goalkeeper Joe Zimka will be in net for NIU. The senior appeared in 16 games last season, saving .759 of the shots that came his way. Despite being injured, Zimka ended the season 3-4-3, and posted three shutouts.

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