DeKALB | Nine shutouts for men’s soccer this season tie the Huskies with No. 1 Southern Methodist for the most in the U.S.

The Huskies are also tied for the 20th best record in the nation at 10-3-1 and 3-0 in the MAC.

But they can’t be found among top-25 polls.

Ranked No. 4 in the Great Lakes region, the Huskies will have a chance to show they belong by facing No. 22 Akron (8-3-1, 2-0) on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Huskie Soccer Field.

The Huskies are ranked No. 6 in shutout percentage (.64), No. 30 in goals-allowed average (.81) and No. 18 in save percentage (.84).

Sophomore goalkeeper Joe Zimka hasn’t allowed a goal in seven games and has 25 saves.

Aside from the defense, NIU leads the MAC with 70 points, 23 goals and 24 assists and is averaging the most per game in each category. Junior transfer Marcus McCarty leads the MAC with 7 goals and 18 points.

But will the stats speak up Saturday against last year’s No. 1 team?

Sean Connor is an NIU men’s soccer reporter for the Northern Star.