The men’s soccer team’s five-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt Friday as the team lost to the University of Portland Pilots, 3-0.

NIU’s record sits at 7-3 prior to conference play, which opens Saturday.

Friday’s game was the first time the Huskies had been shut out, and failed to manage one shot on goal. In total shots, Portland doubled up NIU 10-5. Six of Portland’s 10 shots were on net.

Portland struck first, finding the back of the net in minute-11 with a goal from junior forward Benji Michel, his ninth goal of the season for the Pilots.

Head Coach Ryan Swan said his team had a rough first half because it came out of the gates too timid.

“I thought we came out quite timid against a good Portland team,” Swan said. “When we gave up a goal off a corner kick in the first 10 minutes, [it] was a reflection of us just not coming out and playing very well.”

Swan said NIU came out stronger in the second half and was dictating play, until first year defender Lawrence Kwazema earned a red card.

“The second half was going well for us,” Swan said. “We were seeing much more of the ball, moving it around, working [quickly] and looking comfortable. At the start of the second half, I thought we were the better team. Things changed significantly after the red card; it was very difficult for us.”

Kwazema was shown the red card in minute-58 for a foul as the last defender. As a result, the Huskies were forced to play one man short the remaining 32 minutes and Kwazema will not be allowed to play next game.

The Pilots took advantage of the player differential and scored two more goals to tack onto their lead.

The Huskies open Mid-American Conference play 7 p.m. Saturday in Edwardsville, Illinois against the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougars. Information on streaming men’s soccer games can be found on the NIU Athletics website.