A stretch of five straight games against in-state schools concludes this weekend for women’s soccer.

Friday, the Huskies (2-2) will travel to Evanston and take on the Wildcats of Northwestern (2-2-1).

NIU is coming off a 3-0 win over the Ramblers. The game against Loyola was NIU’s first three-goal effort in a game since Aug. 29, 2010, against Northern Iowa. The last time NIU won a game where is scored three more goals was September 2009.

NIU head coach John Ross talked about what it will take for his team to have events like Sunday’s occur more frequently.

“I think what we need to do to create those type of opportunities again is to keep working on our decision making on the ball,” Ross said. “So when we are in the attack, we make sure we get quality chances. And when you get quality chances, that’s when you score goals.”

The Wildcats come into Friday night’s game winless in three straight games. Last weekend, the Wildcats tied Colorado, 2-2, and lost 2-0, against 12th ranked Marquette.

Ross said the Wildcats present many challenges heading into Friday night’s match.

“I think just being a Big 10 team,” Ross said. “Obviously they’re going to be pretty athletic all around the field, and have a lot of experience and high level competition on a day-in, day-out basis.”

Senior defensive/mid-fielder Nici Newquist said playing at night will be different for the team.

“I always think night games, for me personally, are more exciting,” Newquist said. “They’re always more exciting because we don’t have lights at NIU, so I think it’s more adrenaline and more exciting for all the girls.”

The Huskies will head downstate Sunday to take on the Panthers of Eastern Illinois.

Despite the Panthers’s (1-4) poor record, they may prove to be a tough challenge for the Huskies. Three of their five games have gone into extra time.