Here it comes down the final stretch.

The NIU men’s soccer team will take on Florida Atlantic University in yet another crucial MAC match this Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in Boca Raton, Fla.

“Every game is crucial,” said NIU head coach Eric Luzzi. “Our goal of getting into the NCAA tournament hasn’t changed yet. That’s still the ultimate goal that we’re striving for, but I think our guys know that every single game from here on out is massive in terms of trying to attain our overall goal.”

In their first and only meeting last season, the Huskies defeated the Owls 4-2 in DeKalb.

NIU (7-6-1, 1-2-0 MAC) is 2-2-1 on the road and has outscored its opposition 24-11 this season.

Senior midfielder Luis De La Cerda and sophomore midfielder Brad Horton have fronted the Huskies’ assault with five goals apiece, with senior defender Josh Karsten following closely behind with four goals.

FAU (4-7-2, 0-3-0) has lost its last five matches and hasn’t won a game in nearly a month, but

NIU isn’t going to look past them.

“It’s probably more dangerous,” Luzzi said. “I know that they’re a pretty decent team, so it’s probably more dangerous that they haven’t gotten a win in a while because they’re going to be that much hungrier to get a win at home.”

This season, the Owls have been outshot and outscored 17-11.

“I think the guys have been doing a very good job of taking things one game at a time and generally doing a good job to get up for every game,” Luzzi said.

Sophomore forward Darnell King leads the FAU attack with three goals and three assists.

One factor that might have an effect on the match could be the weather, which could hit as high as 90 degrees.

“The big issue could be the weather,” Luzzi said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if it were in the 80s. Their guys are used to that and we’re not.”

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