With a big win over former No. 2 SMU, NIU found itself in the national rankings for the fourth straight year.

And for the first time since grabbing the new spot, the No. 24 Huskies (5-1-2 overall, 0-0 MAC) are ready to defend their ranking.

The team heads into their first MAC contest of the season today at 1:30 p.m. when they take on Florida Atlantic (2-5-0, 0-2) at the new NIU soccer/track complex.

“It’s a MAC game and all the marbles are on the line,” Simmons said in the podcast. “It’s a massive game for us. We’re excited that we’re playing at home, playing against them. All eyes are on [today], and we’re going to be ready to go.”

On paper, NIU looks to have a clear advantage over FAU. The Huskies lead the MAC in shots taken and place third in goals scored. Freshman Brad Horton, the man of the match against SMU, leads the team in both categories.

Defensively, the Huskies also look to have an advantage over the Owls.NIU goalkeeper Joe Zimka boasts five shutouts in eight games, with one coming against the No. 2 Mustangs.

FAU’s keeper has not seen the same results. Junior Phillip Lamarre has posted a lone shutout in eight matches, and has allowed 18 goals to reach the net. Ten of those goals have come from other MAC teams, as the Owl’s lost 3-0 to Buffalo, and then got drilled by Akron 7-0.

“FAU has gone to Akron and Buffalo and struggled there,” Simmons said on the podcast. “But I’m sure they are going to find their feet.”

Simmons also pointed out that playing a team from Florida calls for a different style of play. The coach said that playing a team from the Midwest could be a rude awakening for the Owls.

“They have to come to us and then to Western Michigan next,” Simmons said. “Playing in the Midwest is kind of a rude awakening at times, just because the styles are so contrasting.”

Fans attending today’s match-up can look forward to physical play from both sides of the ball. FAU and NIU rank first and second in team fouls in the MAC with 124 and 112 respectively. The Owls also lead the conference in yellow cards, grabbing 15 in eight games.