DeKALB | Emotions will be swirling because it is senior day and first place in the MAC will be on the line.

Akron, ranked No. 22 by soccertimes.com, comes to town for a 2 p.m. showdown Saturday at Huskie Soccer Field.

And there is the business of Akron being 11-1 all-time versus NIU (10-3-1), and fresh off a 5-1 win last year at Lee Jackson Field.

In 2005, the Zips (8-3-1) spent eight weeks as the No. 1 team in the soccer world, and their three losses this season are all against teams that have spent time in the top-25 of both national polls.

Akron’s leading scorer, senior midfielder and Herman trophy candidate Sinisa Ubiparipovic has 15 points on the season and has a strong supporting cast.

“It will be a competitive game,” NIU coach Steve Simmons said. “Both teams have pieces that are good on the attack.”

NIU counters with a sturdy back line of defenders. The only goal allowed by NIU in the last nine games came on a penalty kick last Saturday in a 4-1 win over Western Michigan.

A 8-0-1 record over that same span has also brought NIU several personal accolades. Sophomore goalkeeper Joe Zimka, senior midfielder Chris VanDuerm and junior forward Marcus McCarty have been the recipients of the last three MAC Player of the Week Awards.

Offensively NIU has out-scored the opposition 23-12. The second half has proved to be the most decisive for Simmons squad, as NIU has 12 goals to their foes five.

Out of 199 Division I teams, NIU is ranked No. 53 in the most recent RPI. Akron checks in at No. 94.

The key to a win for NIU?

Reliance on a deep roster and opportunistic offensive attempts, Simmons said.

“We have to tackle chances,” Simmons said. “There may be situations where there is not a clear chance but we’ve got to make our own luck and capitalize on it and continue to be stingy on defense.”

James Nokes is the NIU men’s soccer beat reporter for the Northern Star.