Successful seasons for both NIU men’s and women’s soccer, with trips to the MVC and MAC championship tournaments last season, respectively, leave both teams with expectations for improvement.
While the men’s team advanced further in the MVC tournament than the women in the MAC tournament, they had similar offseasons, losing key components to the teams.
One of the biggest losses for both teams was the departure of both Huskie starting goalkeepers. Then-redshirt senior Sadie McGill performed well in her 19 appearances last season, earning a .791 save percentage throughout the season. Then-senior Jakub Rojek of the men’s team was ranked third in the nation with an average of six saves per game at the conclusion of the 2023 season. He played in 14 of the 17 matches for the Huskies, with a save percentage of .778.
Men’s soccer lost 12 players from its 2023 roster and the women’s team had nine seniors leave the roster, leaving both teams with spots to fill. Men’s soccer brought in 12 new players to join the 12 returning Huskies. The women’s team welcomed three transfer students and seven new freshmen to the squad.
All of the goalkeepers on the women’s roster are new to NIU this season. Senior Amy Stineman transferred from Gonzaga University, graduate student Ary Purifoy joins the Huskies from Oklahoma State University, and freshmen Lauren Pearson and Abi Dolding are fresh out of high school.
It’s not all new for the Huskies, with notable players returning for both teams. The men’s squad has five starters returning for the new season, including senior forwards Kevin Kelly and Zachariah Thomas. Thomas scored the lone goal in the 3-1 loss against Western Michigan University in the MVC semifinal game last season. Sophomore defender Luka Vasic joins senior defender Ben Suddeth as returning defensive starters. Redshirt-sophomore midfielder Jakub Drazek returns as well.
On the women’s squad, one of the most notable returners is sophomore forward Tyra King, who played in 17 matches for the Huskies last season, leading the Huskies in goals scored with 3. Also returning is senior forward Edith Delgado, who played in all 19 matches of the 2023 season.
The Huskies’ season has already begun, with the women and men each playing two matches.
The women’s team is 1-0-1 after starting the season with a 0-0 draw against DePaul University. Their match against St. Thomas University was a 4-1 victory for the Huskies.
Starting their season against St. Thomas University, the men’s team came up short in a 1-0 loss. They rebounded against Chicago State University in a 4-2 win with four different Huskies scoring their first goals for NIU.
NIU women’s soccer returns to action at 4 p.m. Thursday against the University of Southern Indiana in DeKalb at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU All Access will be live streaming the match.
NIU men’s soccer plays at 7 p.m. Thursday when they take on the University of Memphis at the Billy J. Murphy Soccer/Track & Field Complex in Memphis, Tennessee. ESPN+ will be live streaming the game and live stats will be available on StatsBroadcast.
