After two successful season-opening road meets, the NIU women’s gymnastics team opens the home portion of its 1990 schedule at 1 p.m. Saturday against the University of Missouri in Chick Evans Field House.

The Huskies, 1-0 in dual meet competition, will need solid performances throughout the lineup against the talented and undefeated Missouri contingent. Both teams have a freshman leading their scoring: NIU’s Vicki Thimgan and UM’s Kim Leslie. Thimgan began her collegiate career with all-around first places at Ball State University and the Western Michigan Quadrangular. Thimgan also recorded an NIU school record-tying 9.45 balance beam score at WMU. Leslie, defending Junior Olympic National all-around champion, scored 38.00 points to win the all-around in Missouri’s dual meet victory over Michigan State University.

“Our first two meets really helped us get things rolling. Now we’re looking to improve our consistency and skill levels against a talented and deep Missouri team,” NIU women’s gymnastics coach Bobbie Cesarek said.