I’m not going to lie: When I was assigned to cover women’s soccer last fall, I made an unpleasant face.

No offense to the men’s and women’s soccer teams, but I just had no interest in the sport.

But I found there’s no reason for me to dislike the sport other than my lack of exposure to soccer, and I would not be surprised if the majority of NIU students feel the same way I once did.

Heading into my second year covering the team, I’ve come to appreciate the game of soccer.

Both the men and women have put up decent records in the past few seasons and provide plenty of action and athleticism on the field.

The men’s soccer team had a great year in 2006, boasting a 15-6-1 record, capturing the MAC Championship and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The following year did not witness as much success, but the Huskies still advanced to the MAC Tournament semi-finals.

NIU women’s soccer has not lost a match since Oct. 14, 2007, a streak spanning 11 games. The Huskies went 10-5-5 in 2007 and shutout all but five of their opponents.

Both teams are off to a 3-0-1 start in 2008. The men tied No. 17 Bradley Sunday afternoon and the women shut-out their first two opponents for the first time in school history. But a winning team is not the only perk of catching a soccer match on a Friday or Sunday afternoon.

There is so much athleticism involved in soccer. There is nothing sweeter than watching a player dart up the field, dribbling between defenders and netting a shot from 20 yards out.

We are so used to watching a basketball player dribble with their hands, we fail to realize how hard it is to run full speed and control a ball, all with the same two feet.

But if it is a physical sport you long for, soccer has plenty of physicality to go around. Over the course of a 90 minute soccer match, I can’t count the times a player was blind-sided with a hip check from an opposing player. And can you imagine pounding a ball with the top of your head? Exactly.

But the most beautiful aspect of soccer still remains: the fact that it is such a team effort. I have learned a great deal about teamwork covering Huskie soccer.

Following each win, the key player spoke of the teamwork involved in the win and the importance of team chemistry. Granted team chemistry is key in every team sport, but the fact that it takes 11 players to produce a 1-0 victory over the course of 90 minutes says something. Just watching a play develop with the ball advancing up field and the team dealing the final blow with a strong kick is simply amazing. It allows the team or the fan to appreciate the win more, knowing that everyone fulfilled his or her role.

With that being said, I present this challenge to you, Huskie fans: Make your way to the NIU Track and Field/Soccer Complex and check out a soccer match. You will witness a sport embraced in the majority of countries across the world. For you to let that opportunity pass you by while it’s in your backyard would be a shame.