At this time last year – heading into the start of MAC play – NIU’s men’s soccer team had a better record than this year.

But that hasn’t changed the approach of the team as it gets ready for Western Michigan today.

“The same thing was said [last year], that it’s a new season,” said coach Steve Simmons. “Because you could go in and do very, very well but fall flat on your face. So regardless of where you‘re at, it is a new season.”

“There’s not too much difference of things that have given us success in the past. We’re confident, and we’ve been confident. It’s just we’ve been disheartened by the results.”

The fact remains that the Huskies are the defending MAC Champions, and this is a confident Huskie squad heading into conference play.

“We all agree that in every game we’ve played so far, we’ve completely outplayed every team except Indiana,” said junior Drew Jeskey. “It’s a new start on Friday, and if we start out right, anything can happen.”

Things haven’t gone quite the way the Huskies (2-5-3) wanted them in the first half of the season. The team held a meeting Tuesday after practice to discuss and focus on team goals, something Simmons said they do at the halfway point of every season.

“Nothing different than we’ve done in the past,” he said. “This was a scheduled event for this day. We just try to re-center and refocus on team goals and commitment to get to team goals.”

The new season starts today with the Broncos, whom the Huskies beat 4-1 last season.

“They’re not a bad team,” Jeskey said. “They’re going to want to get some revenge. They’re going to be out to get us. But I think we’re going to handle it pretty well.”

After taking on the Broncos, the Huskies take a trip to Macomb for a non-conference match with Western Illinois before resuming MAC play the next week.