As the NIU women’s soccer team embarks on its first road trip of the season, the Huskies look to continue the defensive tactics that have kept them in games all season.

The Huskies (2-1-1) travel to face Loyola at 7 p.m. tonight and will play DePaul on Sunday at 4 p.m.

“We’ve been training a lot on finishing this week by getting more repetitions in front of the goal,” said associate head coach Paul Jobson. “We also need to show up on things we’re already doing well, like defending.”

The Huskies lead the MAC in fewest goals allowed, goals-against average and shutouts.

The defense is led by sophomore goalkeeper Lindsey Curnock, who has allowed only one goal this season while recording a MAC-leading two shutouts.

“We need to keep the defense organized,” Curnock said. “We need to work on getting the whole team over the loss last weekend and keeping balls out of the net.”

This weekend will serve as an in-state rivalry for the Huskies. Many of the players know each other from high school and club soccer matches and are very familiar with each other, Jobson said.

The Huskies lost both matches last season to this weekend’s opponents. They

own a 4-1-1 record over Loyola and are 3-2 against the DePaul Blue Demons.

“There is a lot more on the line than just wins and losses,” Jobson said. “Pride is also on the line.”