Men’s Soccer

Ryan Hammersmith

Staff Writer

So what does the NIU men’s soccer team need to do to get better?

If you asked the players, the unanimous answer would be nothing.

And as it turns out anyway, the Huskies haven’t been playing all that bad this season, although their record would indicate otherwise.

“I think, except for maybe Indiana, we’ve outplayed everyone we’ve played this year,” junior Drew Jeskey said earlier this season.

Now, there’s no shame in being outplayed by the No. 13 team in the nation. So if the Huskies have outplayed everybody else, why the 4-5-3 record?

“I don’t think I’ve been part of a team that has allowed more goals from distance,” coach Steve Simmons said earlier this year. “It’s been unbelievable.”

In the Huskies’ 2-2 tie with UMKC in mid September, the Kangaroos scored the first two goals of the match, both on shots from about 30 yards out that just snuck by the outstretched body of goalkeeper Joe Zimka.

Along with catching some bad breaks, the Huskies have also failed to capitalize on the scoring opportunities they generate, while letting its opponents execute with minimal chances.

The Huskies continually outshoot their opposition, but often times come away empty handed.

Maybe instead of asking what the Huskies need to do to be better maybe it would be more fitting to ask how they can keep this winning streak going?

NIU’s good, dominating play finally showed results this weekend with five goals in two matches.

They were quicker to the ball. They made few mistakes, none of which were costly by resulting in goals for the other team. And they have shown they have as much depth on their bench as anyone, which can only help them once the season winds down.

Football

Ben Gross

Staff Writer

Finish the game — that’s the prescription to get the Huskies healthy.

Racking up 521 yards against Central Michigan should have equate to more than 10 points. There’s no reason why Southern Illinois should have scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.

Two missed PATs, two successful on side kicks against NIU, multiple holding and personal foul penalties on crucial, and 19 turnovers have let the Huskies take themselves out of the game.

“Those are things that a good football team can’t do, and that’s keeping us from being a good football team,” head coach Joe Novak said. “It’s a team right now that’s not making the plays to win. Still we’re are getting into the red zone.

When we do that we have to find a way to score, and we’re not doing that.”

NIU ranks last in the MAC in red zone offense. The Huskies are only putting up points 52.9 percent of times when they are within their opponents’ 20 yard line.

Finishing, that’s the prescription for the second half of the season and the team already knows it.

“Honestly some of those games — the SIU game — that game shouldn’t have come down to an onside kick,” defensive end Larry English said. “We definitely had that game under control. We relaxed a little bit and allowed them to come back in the game.”

Volleyball

Andy Pruski

Staff Writer

A few weeks ago, the NIU women’s volleyball team was in need of some dire medical attention.

However, it appears time has healed some of the Huskies’ wounds as they have won three straight and are looking like a different team.

Perhaps the only remedy for this team is time. Time for them to hit their growth spurt and time for them to gel as a team. Up until lately there have just been glimpses of what the team is capable of and while they may still need more time before they get there, they are certainly on the right track.

However, with all the traveling they’ve been doing so far this season, a nice home-made bowl of chicken soup might best serve the Huskies at this point.

They aren’t completely off the hook yet though, so weekly check-ups are likely needed until they regain some consistency.

Women’s Soccer

Derrick Smith

Staff Writer

It’s the little things that the NIU women’s soccer team continues to work on to get better in the midst of conference play.

According to associate head coach Paul Jobson, continuous fine-tuning and preparation will equal success.

“We’re always working on finishing and being successful in the box,” Jobson said. “We’re always working on being prepared defensively, working on our clearances and always working on our headers. It’s just the little things that can help you have success throughout a match.”

Consistency is another big thing for the Huskies. Jobson feels that they’ve played well up to this point and look to maintain that level of play.

“We can’t get too uptight or too relaxed, we just got to stay where we are,” Jobson said