Pressure can only build for so long before it explodes.

Yet, the NIU women’s soccer team (1-3-0) isn’t alone when it comes to the rising pressure after suffering through three straight shutout losses.

“We’re getting frustrated,” said NIU head coach Carrie Barker.

Friday’s opponent, SIU Edwardsville (0-2-0), has suffered the same fate in their first two games.

After a rough road start, the Cougars will be playing in Edwardsville for the first time this season, and Barker realizes the difficulties of playing a team at their home opener.

“They are definitely going to be excited,” Barker said. “We have to come out and match their intensity.”

The Huskies expect that intensity to be high as both teams try to break out offensively. Neither team has scored a goal this season, although NIU recorded a 1-0 victory in their season opener on an own goal by Valparaiso,

“We have been put to the test both mentally and physically early on,” Barker said. “But we have to stick to the game plan and not allow ourselves to feel pressure.”

Today’s trip to SIU-E will be the Huskies fifth straight road game to open the season.

“It’s frustrating because we have been getting good looks,” Barker said. “Hopefully we can finish the road trip off with a bang.”

Any momentum the Huskies are able to build against the Cougars will be immediately tested when they return home Sunday to face Loyola Chicago (0-6-0).

Much like SIU-E, the Ramblers are yet to score a goal and have allowed 10 goals in their six contests.

The Huskies will look to take advantage of sophomore goalie Katie Groesch, who has struggled this season after recording five shutouts in 2008 and being named to the Horizon League All-Newcomer Team.

“All it takes is to find the net one time,” Barker said. “Once that happens, you can breathe easy and hopefully the goals will start flowing.”

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