Rant: Men’s soccer

By James Nokes

Let’s just call it “The Beast.”

Rather than referring to it tamely as the schedule the NIU men’s soccer team will play in 2007.

When it comes time to defend their MAC Title, Steve Simmons’ boys will be just like Mel Gibson in Mad Max – battle-tested Road Warriors.

“The Beast” starts with Bucknell on Friday, the first of four dates with 2007 NCAA Tournament qualifiers.

Then there is a Friday to Sunday week-two matchup with No. 7 Indiana and No. 10 Notre Dame.

Sprinkle in a West Coast road trip, and grudge matches at Wisconsin and Akron – and you’ve got only six home games.

Kudos to Simmons, “The Beast” is a soccer fan’s chance to catch an incredible match every weekend.