DeKALB | A deep roster allowed the beat to go on for the NIU men’s soccer team.

A 4-1 thrashing of Western Michigan Friday was followed up with a 1-0 win Sunday at Western Illinois .

“This was a big weekend,” NIU coach Steve Simmons said. “We got a MAC win and got a good result against Western, the leaders of the Mid-Con Conference.”

Against WMU, a pair of first half goals set the tone for NIU (10-3-1, 3-0).

An indirect kick by senior midfielder Jose Alvarado in the 23rd minute set up a Marcus McCarty goal and gave NIU a 1-0 lead.

The junior forward from Texas leads NIU in scoring with seven goals and 17 points.

Junior defender Steve Algozino used his lengthy 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame to give NIU a 2-0 lead.

The Frankfurt native rose above defenders to head in the corner kick by freshman forward Luis De La Cerda in the 28th minute to tally his first goal of the season.

An own goal from WMU in the crucial five minute segment to start the second half gave NIU a 3-1 lead and a load of momentum.

A shutout streak that spanned 11 halves for NIU ended on a penalty kick goal in the 81st minute by WMU (2-10-0, 0-2) sophomore forward Terry Dowding.

De La Cerda scored on a 12-yard shot to close out the scoring for NIU, off an assist from fellow freshman Ben Thomas.

Senior goal keeper Matt Corcoran picked up the win on Friday and on Sunday sophomore goal keeper Joe Zimka ran his personal shut out streak to six games.

Against WIU (8-6-0), senior midfielder Kevin Woerner scored from 25 yards out in the 25th minute on a pass from McCarty.

NIU ground out a win despite being short handed, as several players in the regular rotation missed all or considerable parts of the match.

“Our depth was huge,” Simmons said. “Guys stepped up. This is why we train. Parts of these games are soccer, and parts are psychological. The will and grit to persevere are key.”

NIU is on a seven game winning streak.