DeKALB | Focus on each individual game.

This is the mantra for the NIU men’s soccer team as it looks to stretch its unbeaten streak to three games with a 1 p.m. match Sunday at Huskie Soccer Field against Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.

IPFW (0-7-1) has yet to earn a win, but enters with a young lineup capable of taking the pitch with a nothing-to-lose attitude, said coach Steve Simmons.

“They can throw caution to the wind,” Simmons said. “Just play without worrying about a result. It will be a test of our maturity. Statistics would say it is a no-brainer, but it is all about playing that game on that particular day.”

NIU enters MAC play with a 5-3-1 mark and has played a sturdy non-conference schedule.

Simmons says his team is battle tested.

“Of course I’d like to be 9-0,” Simmons said. “But with the schedule we’ve played, it is a respectable record. To be considered one of the top teams in the Great Lakes region is great.”

The NIU defense is full of confidence after a double-overtime tie against No. 21 Notre Dame (4-3-2) on Wednesday. NIU has now posted back-to-back shutouts with goalkeeper Joe Zimka between the pipes to earn his first two career wins.

Notre Dame constantly pounded Zimka with shots from all angles, to no avail. The sophomore from Algonquin has not been scored on for four straight halves.

The thought of heading back to DeKalb with a loss kept Zimka steady in the net.

“I just tried to stay focused,” Zimka said. “The thing you think about is do you want to be on the bus and be happy or sad after the game.”

Simmons said few MAC teams could say they’ve left South Bend with a tie, much less a win.

But with the dawn of conference play, every team gets a clean slate, and the race is on to qualify for the NCAA tournament.

“Everyone steps up once October starts to roll around,” the fourth-year coach said. “Teams begin to gel and get a real feel for each other.”

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