DeKALB | Go west young men, if you enjoy a challenge.

A pair of opponents with a long and successful soccer lineage awaits the NIU men’s soccer team.

NIU squares off against Washington (5-0), ranked No. 4 in the country, on Friday, and Portland (1-0-2) on Sunday at the Washington Husky Fever Classic.

“Washington is No. 4,” head soccer coach Steve Simmons said. “Portland is an awesome storied program. I’ve looked forward to this since we scheduled it three years ago.”

Simmons, a west coast native, will head back home with a team riding a three-game winning streak.

“For us to put three together against fantastic teams is vital. We are fortunate to be in that scenario,” Simmons said. “I’m buzzing right now. Washington and Portland are close to my heart. This weekend will be a lot of fun.”

A potent goal-scoring chemistry has developed between juniors Marcus McCarty and Curt Zastrow. The forwards have combined to score the last four NIU goals.

After a competitive week of practice, NIU (4-2) is primed for the stiff competition they will face this weekend.

“We try to replicate the intensity of the game,” Simmons said. “Because we are deep with good players, we have a fever pitch environment in training. That’s the only way to replicate anything close to what we are going to see on the west coast.”

The Washington offense also relies on a pair of junior forwards to lead the way. Kevin Forrest and Ely Allen have combined to score nine of Washington’s 14 goals. Washington has been stingy on defense, as redshirt freshman goalkeeper Rylan Hawkins has allowed only one goal all year.

Portland has scored only two goals in three matches, but has played a tough schedule that includes No. 3 New Mexico.

Despite a pair of physical matches last weekend, Simmons said NIU will enter with a healthy lineup.

“We’ll be back at full strength,” the fourth-year coach said. “In the end, this is another measuring stick, a chance to play a top-10 team to see what we’ve got.”

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