NIU soccer coach Willy Roy will welcome back three of his former Chicago Sting players Saturday when the Huskies host nationally-ranked St. Louis University in a 7 p.m. match.

Karl-Heintz Granitza, Mark Simanton and Pat McGauley will be on hand as part of American Youth Soccer Organization Night at Huskie Stadium. The three members of the Sting’s 1981 and 1984 Soccer Bowl Championship teams will be on the field before the game for an autograph and picture session.

Granitza has a five-year-old son, Nikolas, whom he would like to see follow in his father’s footsteps. However, he indicated that it would be up to Nikolas to decide if and when soccer would be part of his life.

“Sometimes you have to find your own interests,” the former Sting striker said. “When he’s a little older, maybe I’ll push him more. When he is interested, I’ll push him to the limit.”

Members of the AYSO will be allowed on the field at 6 p.m. to join the Sting celebrities. AYSO players from DeKalb, Sycamore, St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia have been invited to attend.

At halftime a short AYSO soccer game will be held, and a drawing for various souvenirs, including five soccer balls autographed by Roy and the Huskie players, will be conducted for AYSO members.