The NIU men’s soccer team recorded their third consecutive shutout Sunday at the Huskie Soccer Complex in their 2-0 win over Eastern Illinois University.

In doing so they accomplished a feat that has evaded the efforts of men’s soccer teams at NIU for five years.

NIU (9-5-1, 2-2-1) started the weekend off Friday afternoon by taking care of a Western Illinois squad 4-0.

Although the Leathernecks didn’t have the firepower to play on NIU’s level, the Huskies came out in the first half and played down to the level of the Leathernecks.

After an inspirational pep talk at halftime by head coach Willy Roy, the Huskies came out and played the type of winning soccer they are known for.

With 11:00 gone in the second half, Huskie midfielder Sigerud Slastad put NIU on the board.

Slastad reeled in a loose ball in the Leathernecks goal mouth and shot it past a waiting WIU goal keeper to give the Huskies the 1-0 lead.

With just three minutes gone since the first goal Jay Konrad got up high and headed a Todd Vanecko cross past the WIU keeper to give the Huskies a 2-0 advantage.

Ken Hoffman and Tim Prerost both added goals which allowed the Huskies to coast to a 4-0 win.

On Sunday at 1:00 p.m. the Huskies took the field after the dedication ceremony which included NIU President John La Tourette kicking out the first ball and vocalist Wayne Messmer singing the national anthem.

The Huskies jumped on the Panthers (8-6, 2-3) early with just 11:00 gone in the first half.

Forward Brian Downs headed in a Jay Konrad cross to give the Huskies the 1-0 advantage.

Six minutes later the Huskies benefited from the rain soaked field.

An EIU defender dribbling a ball out of the Panthers penalty box fell down, and a pressing Andy Lane passed the ball to an open Todd Vanecko who beat the keeper near post to give the Huskies the 2-0 win.