NIU women’s soccer hopes to make it a long night for Wisconsin on Thursday when the two play at 5 p.m. in the NIU Soccer Complex.

The Huskies (0-4-1) will square off against Wisconsin (4-1) in an unusually-scheduled game – it is the first of only two Thursday games in the regular season schedule.

“It’s a different environment for us, so they’re going to be excited to play on a Thursday evening,” said Carrie Barker, NIU women’s head soccer coach.

The game could be complicated by its late start time and the soccer complex’s lack of lights.

Thursday’s game is the second in a five-game homestand. The game is Wisconsin’s third of a four-game road trip and the Badgers are also riding a four-game winning streak.

“We have everything to prove and nothing to lose, so for [the first win of the season] to be Wisconsin would be perfect, especially since they have that winning streak,” said Meaghan Bennett, NIU senior captain and goalkeeper.