An undefeated streak went unbroken at the NIU/Adidas Invitational this weekend.

The NIU men’s soccer team took second in its tournament behind Northwestern, after beating Xavier in a 4-0 match, and then ending in a 1-1 draw with Eastern Illinois.

The Huskies (4-0-2) started their tournament run with a 4-0 shutout over Xavier (0-5-0). The last time NIU outscored an opponent by four goals was almost a year ago against Western Michigan on Oct. 5.

Freshman Brad Horton put the Huskies on the board early with a penalty kick in the fourth minute.

The goal was Horton’s third of the season, and second penalty shot this year.

According to NIU head coach Steve Simmons, Horton is the team’s go-to guy on penalty tries.

“Penalty kicks, even at the world class level aren’t about skill,” Simmons said. “It’s about who is confident enough to take them. Brad Horton steps up with confidence, and without question he is our go-to guy.”

NIU found themselves up 2-0 after senior Chris Johnson placed the ball past Xavier’s Adam Sokolowski on a one-timer out in front of the net.

The Huskies seemed to have momentum, but truly shut down Xavier after goalkeeper Joe Zimka stuffed Musketeer’s Andy Dimbi in a one-on-one penalty kick attempt.

“Before the shot happened I was just thinking to myself ‘stay light on your toes, and don’t guess,'” Zimka said. “Afterwards it’s like you are on top of the world. My heart was pounding after that.”

Zimka added that the blocked shot acted as a momentum boost for him as well as the team.

“The guys are working reallyhard,” Zimka said. “It’s not my shutout; it is the team’s shutout.”

Zimka posted his fourth shutout in five games after saving six shots from the Xavier offense.

Freshman Finn Jor tallied his first goal of the season, after a cross from freshman Johnny Tyma.

Junior Luis Delacerda followed Jor with NIU’s final goal after a long pass from Horton.

Horton ended the game with both a goal and an assist, and leads the team with seven points.

“Last week, we realized our potential in last the 50 minutes of the game,” Simmons said. “What we saw today is our players realizing their potential the whole 90 minutes.”

The Huskies continued tournament play Sunday against Eastern Illinois.

Though the team found their undefeated streak still intact, Simmons said his team was disappointed with the 1-1 double overtime draw.

“We are all pretty disappointed with [the] result,” he said. “I thought we banged on the door pretty good, but you have to get something out of it.”

Unfortunately for Simmons, his team could not capitalize after taking 25 shots, compared to EIU’s eight.

The Huskies also found opportunity with 18 corner kicks, but could not take advantage against the Panther’s defense.

NIU’s lone goal was scored by defender Josh Karsten to put the Huskies up 1-0 in the first half. The goal marked the senior’s first collegiate goal.

Despite the goal, NIU failed to keep its lead as EIU’s Chris Pearson headed the ball past Zimka in the 48th minute.

Simmons said that his team failed to keep the shot away from the goal, and gave EIU a life line to get back into the game.

“There is going to be a lot we take away from this game,” Simmons said. “Some of those moments cost us, especially the moment right after halftime. That one made us pay the price.”