Ending last season with a trip to the MVC Championship Tournament semifinals, NIU men’s soccer started its 2024 season with expectations to continue to grow. So far, those expectations have not been met.
NIU men’s soccer holds a record of 2-5 (0-1 MVC), losing four straight matches between the two wins.
On average, the Huskies create 9.3 shots per game, which is not enough to overcome opponents, averaging 14.4 shots per game. Yes, the Huskies have scored in every match after their opening loss to the University of St. Thomas. However, with a difference of over 5 shots per game, opponents are more likely to score than NIU. The more shots taken, the greater the odds of one going in, something that Huskies’ opponents are all too familiar with.
In seven matches, NIU has been outshot 101-65. With a shot differential that vast, fault can come to both the offense and defense. The offense needs to be better about creating and capitalizing on shot opportunities, as the team has a .492 shot on goal percentage.
In the final 15 minutes of the 2-1 loss against Bowling Green State University on Friday, the Huskies had two close shots that either went just over or hit the upper crossbar. That was a winnable conference match for NIU, had it been able to find the back of the net in crucial moments.
The defense can also do more to prevent opponents from creating shots at will.
While the defense does not have stats of its own, goals allowed reflect both the defensive efforts and the ability of the goalkeeper. While it comes down to the goalkeeper, there are some shots that should never have made it that far to begin with, which brings it back to the defense.
In the first five matches of the season, redshirt freshman goalkeeper Caleb Pearson allowed 16 goals in contrast to the 17 he saved. While that statistic does not look great, some of those are not Pearson’s fault alone. A goalkeeper is only one person, and preventing goals reflects on the entire backline.
The last two games have been started by sophomore goalkeeper Atahan Arslan, notching 7 saves and allowing only 2 goals. Hopefully the goalkeeping momentum has shifted, and Huskie goalkeepers, with the help of the defense, can help put the team in a position to win.
While there have been improvements, including the latest win against Mercyhurst University, there is still plenty of room for more. Yes, a win is a win, no matter who it is against. With that being said, 2024 is the first year that Mercyhurst has been a Division I school, and NIU was still outshot 12-5.
Struggling offensively against a first year D-I school does not bode well for when NIU starts facing more MVC opponents, who have more developed programs at the D-I level. NIU is currently seated last in the MVC in shots, and eighth of nine in shots on goal.
All of that being said, NIU men’s soccer just has to be better, in all aspects. I am hopeful that the team has players capable of producing a better product on the field and that breaking the losing streak against Mercyhurst is a turning point. There have been improvements, but more need to be made and fast. Once the Huskies start conference play, they are running out of time to turn the season around before it’s too late.
NIU men’s soccer looks to continue the positive momentum at 5 p.m. Friday against Western Illinois University at the John MacKenzie Alumni Field in Macomb. SideArm Stats will be providing live stats.
