Travel can be one of the headaches for a sports program.

Try adding on multiple games within 14 hours of each other, and one would probably need a Tylenol.

The NIU men’s soccer team is heading to Corvallis, Ore. to take on Oregon State and Seattle in the Oregon State Zaher/Hensor Memorial Classic. The Huskies’ first match will be at 10 p.m. tonight against the Beavers, and the second will take place Saturday at 1 p.m. against the Redhawks.

“I’ve never seen a situation where a Division I men’s team has had to play two games in 14 hours,” said NIU head coach Eric Luzzi. “That’s almost unheard of. Nobody’s at fault or at blame, but that’s just the way the schedule worked out. We’ve got to deal with it, but that’s going to be a massive challenge.”

This being the final weekend before MAC matches begin, NIU wants to roll in on a strong note.
NIU (3-3-1) has never faced Seattle, but has defeated Oregon State in their only meeting 1-0 in 2007.

The Huskies have played very well in the first half of games, out-scoring their opponents 8-1, but have to pick it up in the second if they want to rack up some wins. NIU’s three losses have come thanks to game-winning goals in the 74th minute or later.

Senior midfielder Luis De La Cerda and sophomore midfielder Brad Horton have led the way with three goals apiece.

Oregon State (3-1-2) has lit it up on the scoreboard, scoring 12 goals in six games while only giving up five.

“I know that they’re a team that will be playing with confidence,” Luzzi said. “I know that they’re athletic. I know that they’re physical and strong. They’ll be good on set pieces and they will battle.”

The Beavers’ combo of sophomore forward Danny Mwanga and sophomore midfielder Colin Mitchell have accumulated eight of those 12 goals.

Seattle (1-4-1) has had a difficult time putting the ball into the net thus far, as it has only scored two goals in six games while giving up 11 goals and 110 shots.

“They’re a tricky one because their record is not that flattering,” Luzzi said. “But they’ve played four teams that are in the top 15 and they tied Tulsa, who beat us.”

Along with playing Tulsa, the Redhawks have played Notre Dame and Indiana with both games ending in shutouts. Seattle’s lone win came last week against Oregon State, beating them 1-0 in overtime.

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