NIU soccer will host Illinois State Wednesday in an attempt to improve on a 2-4-2 lifetime record against the Redbirds.

Although ISU is off to a slow start (1-4-0), NIU coach Willy Roy still believes the Redbirds could be a dangerous threat to NIU (4-1-1) when the teams meet in a 5 p.m. kickoff at the Huskie Soccer Field.

“I think (their record) is totally off. They are probably, next to Indiana, the best team to face. I think they have just had some bad luck, and they are waiting to turn it around,” said Roy.

ISU has more of an international style of play with some top European players. The Redbirds are strong in the midfield area and have a good sweeper, Roy said.

Last year the Redbirds beat NIU 3-1 at ISU in what Roy described as an exciting game. Willy Roy, Jr. scored the only goal for NIU.

“They are a little bit of a puzzle to me. You have to watch them at all sides. They look like a balanced squad to me,” said the Huskie coach.

The Huskies have had some good balance themselves, especially on offense. Of the 14 goals scored this season, six players have had at least one. Willy Roy, Jr. is tied for the lead with Frank Sparacino for four goals and is also tied with Karsten Roy for most assists (3). Roy, Jr. leads the squad with 11 points followed by Sparacino (9) and Per Ekholdt (6).

“I think we have a nice balance. What I’m really happy about is that everybody is involved in it,” said Roy.

NIU has outscored its opponents by an 11-1 in second-half action. Roy admits he has no definite reason for this.

“Maybe we have nice halftime talks,” Roy said. “Sometimes you have to wake people up. That seems to be a trend, but it’s not a bad trend.”

Defense also has been a plus for NIU not only in the second half but throughout the game. Huskie defenders have given up a mere four goals thus far.

“(Tony) Adolfs, Wally (Fikri), Dusty Showers and Sparacino have all done good jobs. We have a nice unit,” said Roy.

Markus Roy has carried the goaltending duties by himself this year with some impressive results. Through his six games he has a goals-against-average of 0.60. This includes 40 saves and two shutouts.

“Markus has been a key in our defense,” said coach Roy. “The defense should feel good that they have a goalkeeper of his caliber backing them up in case they get burned. I think it will also turn around the other way when the defense will help Markus as well.”