Loss to Bowling Green means postseason rematch

By RYAN HAMMERSMITH

Though the NIU men’s soccer team couldn’t end its MAC schedule with a victory, they will get a chance at revenge when the postseason tournament rolls around.

The Huskies lost 3-1 to Bowling Green on Friday – their last MAC match. But they will travel back to Bowling Green for a play-in rematch with the Falcons on Tuesday, Nov. 13. The Huskies’ last regular season match is this Tuesday against UW-Milwaukee.

But for now, the Huskies need to correct the mistakes they made against the Falcons, which included falling behind by two goals just six minutes into the match.

“That right there is called a team that came out flat,” head coach Steve Simmons said. “That was the difference in the game. We had a lot of quality opportunities. You can’t chase a game like that.”

After giving up the two early goals, NIU surrendered a third goal before halftime and went into intermission down 3-0. Simmons said there was nothing to the goals, just mistakes by the Huskies.

“The goals they scored were all on us,” he said. “There wasn’t too much quality to them. They were all our fault, all terrible mistakes.”

The Huskies (5-8-4,-3-1) finished fifth in the MAC and will have their second chance at the Falcons in the MAC Tournament, which is something the Huskies will relish.

“They know they let themselves down,” Simmons said of his players. “Now they have a chance to play a full 90-minute game the right way, a chance to make amends.”

For now, the Huskies will prepare for UW-Milwaukee and their battle for the LeWang Trophy. NIU defeated the Panthers in overtime last season.

“With UWM it’s always tough,” Simmons said. “The LeWang cup is a big deal for both teams. That makes it a very important game for us.”