Today’s game should be a test for NIU’s women’s soccer team.

The Huskies will be without three of their starters as they face-off with Valparaiso University at 4:00 p.m.

Freshman Amy Derry is still out with the sprained ankle which she suffered in last Saturday’s match against Minnesota University. Christy Foster who sat out against Minnesota will sit out again today after making an appearance against Creighton on Sunday.

“It’s going to be an interesting match because three of our starters are out,” head coach Frank Horvat said.

This game will be a test to see how the bench can contribute.

The challenge is on for the replacements. According to Horvat they have worked just as hard as the starters, and this game will be a chance to see how they can contribute in a starting role.

Horvat hopes to see the team use a lot of one or two touch passes. Another key for the team is to stay in the middle of the field and not bunch up.

“We need to come out and play smart and be ready to get rid of the ball quick because they’re always late (to the ball),” Horvat explained.

These are keys because the last time the teams met NIU failed to score in the first half, but changed their philosophy during halftime and spread the field out which proved to have outstanding results.

“It’ll be good to get back in the scoring and build our confidence,” said Horvat.

The past weekend was a scoring drought for the Huskies who are hoping to change their ways against Valparaiso so they can have some confidence going into Saturday’s game against Texas A&M and Monday’s match against Detroit-Mercy University. Both teams should prove to be tough opponents for the Huskies.

Valparaiso should be the team that will give the Huskies their scoring confidence back considering that Valparaiso has only scored one goal in their 11 losses on the season.

“It’ll be a tough match for us, but I think if we just are confident and come out and play hard we’ll do fine,” said Horvat.