After a month of sampling other conferences, the NIU women’s soccer team is ready to break the seal on MAC play this weekend.

With a 4-3-0 record outside the conference, NIU head coach Carrie Barker is eager to see what her group can do against MAC opponents.

“We are passing into part two of our season,” Barker said. “Part one, I feel like we did a pretty good job overall, but we are all excited to get into the MAC.”

On Friday, NIU travels to Toldeo (4-2-2) for a 3 p.m. contest. The Huskies will be looking to take down a Rockets team that’s 40-8-5 at home since 2005 and 6-0-2 in their last eight matchups against NIU.

“In my first two years, we haven’t gone to Toledo,” Barker said. “So, I have no idea what their environment is like. Maybe a couple seniors have been there, but I’m exited to see it for myself.”

Redshirt junior goalkeeper Meaghan Bennett embraces the atmosphere that Toledo’s home park presents.

“I think Toledo is a great team to kick off MAC play against,” Bennett said. “They’re tough at home, but we have no problem taking on the role of the underdog.”

On Sunday, the Huskies return home to open their home slate of conference action against Ball State (6-2-0).

In a matchup of MAC offensive and defensive players of the week, Ball State midfielder Abby Milillo will face off against Huskies goalkeeper Amy Carr.

Carr won MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors for her play last weekend.

“We’re proud of Amy [Carr],” Barker said. “But first and foremost, the credit goes to her teammates. We have been concentrating on team defense, and our play last weekend reflected that.”

The Sunday matinee between the Huskies and the Cardinals is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex.