Saturday’s home contest with MAC opponent Hartwick will provide the NIU men’s soccer team with a chance to get back on the winning track.

The start of the match is set from 12 p.m. at the NIU soccer/track complex.

Since falling to then No. 6 Akron 4-0, the Huskies have gone on to tie both Buffalo, 1-1, and Milwaukee, 2-2, and have yet to win in regulation.

“We’ve got to tighten up on a couple things that won’t change the dynamic of the game,” said NIU head coach Steve Simmons. “We are going into a massive conference game, and we have so
much on the line. But I’m confident in our guys.”

The weekend’s match-up will also give the team another chance to adjust its scoring
opportunities. Simmons said the team is doing the work to create scoring chance but needs to hit its target more frequently.

“When our guys unleash, they are going to unleash,” Simmons said. “I don’t think they have yet for sure, but when they do, it will be good, and it will be at the right time.”

NIU will get a chance to capitalize against Hartwick keeper Jeremy Vuolo.

The goalie has kept on his toes throughout the season as he averages 4.08 saves per game. Vuolo has held opponents to 12 goals in 12 games and is the owner of five shutouts.

However, the keeper will be tested when he meets the top shooting team in the MAC.

The Huskies rank first in their conference in shots per game. The team fires off 18.55 on average, while Hartwick ranks last with an average of 10.

Another threat to Hartwick’s keeper is in junior Ben Thomas. In NIU’s last two games, the team has scored three goals, all coming off the foot of Thomas.

Simmons attributes the junior’s success to shooter confidence.

“Scoring is a matter of confidence,” Simmons said. “It’s a tricky thing, scoring. It’s almost all mental. There’s really not much skill to it.”

Simmons hopes to see more players step up to that confidence during the Homecoming weekend game.

The match is the first game of a Huskie triple header with football at 3 p.m. and volleyball at 7 p.m.

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