Each of the four matches left in the NIU soccer team’s schedule is critical.

NIU faces on Wednesday a 3 p.m. inter-conference match-up against the 4-9 Valparaiso squad. The Crusaders are the first of two obstacles left in the Huskies quest for their first Mid-Continent Conference Championship in their first season in the conference.

“Valparaiso is an up and coming program. We can’t afford to underestimate anybody. Every match is very important for us—it’s crunch time. We have three tough matches in one week. It’s a lot of games in a short amount of time,” NIU coach Willy Roy said.

“I hope our mental attitude is good as it was against Indiana,” forward Willy Roy Jr. said. “We have only given up one goal in four games, and that goal was our own goal. Our defense is playing well.”

Just two days later the 10-4-2 Huskies will travel to Saint Louis University to take on the No. 7 ranked team in the nation. Then on Sunday, NIU hosts Wisconsin-Green Bay to wrap up the conference schedule. The final match is on Nov. 3 on the road against Northwestern.

If the Huskies go undefeated in rest of the matches, they may be considered for post season play, but Roy is not banking on anything. “I’m not going to make predictions. I’m only worring about each match. There’s still a lot of matches to be played and anything can happen in soccer. As long as you’re alive you have a chance at anything,” Roy said.

Roy Jr. has been the offense throughout the year. His 39 total points is only one point short of the season record. “Not only his scoring is surprising me,” the elder Roy said. “But, he has dealt with the pressures of our making him an All-America candidate with a lot of poise. He’s been a very steady player, and I hope two-or-three guys will respond the way Willy has next year.”

Junior offensive midfielder John Lechner will need to be one of those players. “I think John is capable of playing much better. Maybe my expectations are a little high, but I think he can and will get better,” Roy said.