DeKALB | A five-game MAC slate leaves the NIU men’s soccer team no margin for error.

“Over the last couple of years, in our small conference we have teams that have proven to be among the best in the country,” NIU coach Steve Simmons said.

So, can NIU (6-3-1, 1-0) win the MAC?

“A 5-0 win on Sunday gives us the sense that this is our year to do something special,” senior midfielder Justin McGrane said. “You just can’t lose a game or two in the MAC, or you will be in last place.”

NIU has reeled off three-straight shutouts since a 5-0 loss to No. 4 Washington on Sept. 15.

Several lessons were taken from the Washington loss.

“We faced the two best forwards in the country in Washington,” Simmons said. “We’ve seen how top attacking teams play and I think we were able to take away how to play dynamic attacking teams. If we can organize and train day-in and day-out … we have a chance to play a solid defensive game.”

McGrane said that a 5-0 loss in soccer can send a team reeling, or it can pull a team closer together. NIU has remained positive and has a 2-0-1 record since.

“It was a turning point,” forward Marcus McCarty said. “It showed we are good, but if we slip up, there are teams out there that can completely dismantle us. It was an eye opener.”

McCarty, a junior transfer student, has developed into a prominent offensive force. The Texas native leads NIU in scoring, despite still learning to gel with his new teammates. “Marcus plays a particular style that takes getting used to,” Simmons said. “He’s a finisher that finds a way around the box, a way to get the ball in the goal.”

The way McCarty scores isn’t always scientifically traditional.

There are times the 6-foot, 200-pound forward will use his feet, his shins or his head to score.

In the end, McCarty has racked up five goals and three assists for 13 points in the season.

The attention McCarty commands in the form of double teams also opens up the game and creates space for the offense to maneuver, Simmons said.

“I try to do something to help change the game,” McCarty said. “I try to make a play in a positive way, which is something that I should do every game.”

McCarty is a creature of habit as far as his preparation, and doesn’t envision a let down after playing a highly rated non-conference schedule.

“I get up for every game the exact same way,” McCarty said. “I don’t look at team’s records; these MAC games are more important than Notre Dame or Portland because they will decide our fate.”

NIU also made a switch to sophomore goalkeeper Joe Zimka after the Washington game. The combination of the sure-handed Zimka and an organized back line led by junior defenders Chris Rufa and Drew Jeskey has made it tough for opponents to scratch out a goal.

The defense is geared up to prove that a tough schedule will translate into success in the MAC, Zimka said.

The Algonquin native took a cleat to the face on a save opportunity in the waning minutes of a 5-0 rout against Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.

The 6-foot-4 keeper fully extended to secure a shot that was skipping along the ground 10 feet from the net. IPFW forward Aaron Tulloch smelled a goal. But rather than a ball, Tulloch’s cleat found Zimka’s jaw.

Zimka lay face down for several minutes after the play. Why lay out and risk injury in an already decided game?

“The biggest thing is don’t underestimate your opponent,” Zimka said. “All Division I soccer teams can beat each other; you’ve got to respect your opponent, regardless of their record.”

Based on the statistics, two games stand in the way of a MAC title and a top seed in the MAC tournament for NIU: a home match with No. 13 Akron (6-2, 1-0) on Oct. 14, and a trip to Buffalo (6-3-1) on Oct. 20.

“The whole objective is to get into the NCAA tournament,” McGrane said. “Nothing else matters.”

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