DeKALB | Expect a pair of defensive struggles at the NIU-Adidas/Baymont Inn Invitational this weekend at the Huskies’s soccer field near the Convocation Center.

The NIU men’s soccer team (2-2-0) will face Drake (3-1-0) at 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Bradley (1-2-1) at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday in the four team tournament that also features Northwestern (3-1-0).

“Last year we didn’t win our tournament,” junior defender Chris Rufa said. “We didn’t have that good of a performance. We’re just trying to stay focused and win our own tournament this weekend.”

NIU coach Steve Simmons said that the key for his team is to be on the same page, making it easier to communicate when mistakes are made. Fresh off a thrilling 1-0 double overtime win at Michigan State, the fourth-year coach has his team focused on this weekend.

“You ride high and that’s what the bus ride home is for,” Simmons said. “We have a schedule where you can’t be too high for too long or you will get knocked down.”

Simmons expects a “dog fight” from a defensive-minded Drake squad that held their first three opponents scoreless.

Junior keeper Phillip Breuer spearheads a defense that features a .324 shots-on-goal percentage.

Drake spreads the wealth on offense, as six different players have scored eight goals.

“We need to stay compact and together in the back, and take our chances when we get them,” Rufa said. “I think it will be a very defensive game.”

On Sunday, NIU faces a Bradley team that has dominated the head-to-head competition of late.

Bradley is 5-0-1 in their last six meeting with NIU and owns a four game win streak over that span.

NIU will have to muster some offense to break their skid against a Bradley team that has managed only one shot on goal during their current two-game losing streak, Simmons said.

“Last year we played Bradley at their place and they came out flying at us,” Rufa said. “They were organized and just hyped up for the game. I expect the same thing this year.”