For NIU women’s soccer, there is no MAC tournament left to get to. There is only the pride for individuals and the pride left for a team.

This afternoon at the NIU Soccer Complex, women’s soccer (2-14-2) will take on Western Michigan (11-7-0) in the final game of its regular season.

The Huskies will come into the game looking to end the season on a positive, while the Broncos will come in on a four-game winning streak.

Western Michigan’s last loss was against NIU’s last win, Buffalo.

Although out of contention, the Huskies will not hand out a free pass.

“We’re competitors; we’re going to play to win,” said Carrie Barker, NIU head coach. “You’re always playing for something, no matter what.”

This game will complete a season that has seen a lot of ups and downs – mostly downs if you look at the record – but the record doesn’t paint the whole picture.

“We’ve been in every game,” Barker said. “It’s been a very competitive season. We’re a young group and there’s no reason not to play hard.”

This game will mark many things, most obviously the ending of the 2011 regular season. It will also mark the beginning of what could be promising college careers for the few freshmen on the team. It will be the start of a transition of a massive sophomore class becoming upperclassmen, and it will also mark the end of four senior’s careers at NIU.

“Four years goes by extremely fast,” Barker said. “Every game, every practice and every moment we’re together as a group is special for them. This game is going to allow our seniors to wear their NIU jerseys one last time, and being at home is a great event.”