DeKALB | There is one last chance to pad its resume before post-season play.

The NIU men’s soccer team (12-4-1) looks to improve to 3-1 against Big Ten opponents on the pitch at 3 p.m. Friday in Evanston against Northwestern (10-6-0).

No. 24 NIU has a 9-1-1 record in its last 10 games and is ranked No. 4 in the Great Lakes Region NSCAA/Adidas poll.

Despite owning stats that should impress the NCAA tournament selection committee, NIU coach Steve Simmons prefers his squad take care of business on the pitch.

“We can’t control what the committee thinks,” the fourth-year coach said. “We can only control getting it done on the field, and then we’ll see where that takes us. Look at any sport, think about how many basketball teams with high RPI’s are disappointed.”

NIU is ranked No. 29 in the latest RPI, and is nationally tied with No. 1 SMU for third-best shut-out percentage.

A one-game weekend allows Simmons some leeway when it comes to doling out minutes, however, at this time of year, injuries are a factor.

Senior midfielder Chris VanDuerm is day-to-day after a nasty collision at Buffalo. Simmons said both coaches face the dilemma of winning a vital Great Lakes Region match or keeping healthy for their respective conference tournaments.

It will be senior day on the pitch of Thomas Athletic Complex.

With a win, Northwestern’s seniors can tie the all-time mark for wins by a senior class in the program’s history.

Northwestern is No. 28 in the latest RPI, and honors 10 seniors prior to the match.

Junior midfielder David Roth leads the Wildcats with 18 points and seven goals

“They are very organized and have good play makers,” Simmons said. “I expect a typical top five Great Lakes type of game. Details and little things will make the difference.”

NIU will counter with the top goal keeper in the NCAA. Sophomore Joe Zimka leads the nation in goals-against average at .10, and save percentage at .97.

Explosive junior forward Marcus McCarty has nine goals and 22 points on the season. The Texas native leads the MAC in points, goals and game-winning goals.

After the game, Simmons will turn his attention to a game more than 400 miles away.

Akron (11-4-1, 3-1) hosts Buffalo (9-5-2, 3-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Lee Jackson Field. A win by the Zips, and Huskie Soccer Field will be the host site for the MAC Tournament, which starts on Halloween.

With a win, Buffalo would host the tournament at BU Stadium, the site of the only MAC loss for NIU.

“I’ll be in front of Gametracker with my popcorn to watch that one,” Simmons said. “The loser of that game has to play on Halloween; they are playing for at least a two seed.”