Neither wind, nor cold, nor threat of rain could keep the NIU soccer team from completing its appointed rounds Wednesday night at Huskie Stadium.

Led by senior forward Barry Garofolo’s two goals, NIU beat Northwestern, a gusting north wind and falling temperatures for a 3-1 victory.

“It was a good way for the seniors to go out,” NIU coach Willy Roy said. “I just wish Barry could have gotten the hat trick.

“It wasn’t our most artistic game but the wind was pretty strong which made it tough to pass.”

Willy Roy Jr., however, was one Huskie who used the wind to his advantage. Six minutes into the second half, Roy Jr. booted a long upfield pass to Garofolo who beat Wildcat goalie George Kokodynski from 19 yards.

The assist for Roy Jr. was his eighth of the year and 20th point overall, giving him the team scoring title.

“It’s a big thrill to be a freshman and be the scoring leader,” the younger Roy said, holding an ice bag on the right side of his face where he claimed he took a cheap punch from an NU player.

Does he expect to receive more rough treatment from opposing players next year?

“I can guarantee it,” Roy Jr. said. “It comes with the territory.”

Sophomore Jim Corno kicked in the third NIU goal after stealing a long crossing pass in the NU half of the field.

“I learned that one from Manny,” Corno said, referring to the help provided the Huskies earlier in the year when ex-Chicago Sting star Manny Rojas visited an NIU practice.

Northwestern scored a late goal from Jonathon Hall, beating NIU freshman goalkeeper Tim Speigel. The lone Wildcat goal kept Speigel from recording his second consecutive shutout.

After the match coach Roy gathered his players in the locker room for some parting comments.

“I’ve had an awful lot of fun,” he told his team. “Basically—basically—you are a bunch of decent guys. If you were old enough I’d take you out for a victory celebration.”

Not all of the Huskies were in a partying mood, however. Senior co-captain Helge Abrahamsen expressed disappointment at the team’s 6-10-2 final record.

But “The Crusader,” whose eligibility ran out after Wednesday’s match, might get one more chance to leave NIU a winner if he accepts Roy’s offer to return in 1988 as an assistant coach.