Three things describe the 2006 season for the NIU men’s soccer team: elevated expectations, a tough schedule and a balanced roster.

“If we set the bar as high as we’ve set it, we’ve got to win,” NIU men’s soccer coach Steve Simmons said.

Three years ago the team only managed to muster three wins. Now the program has matured to the point where Simmons wasn’t thrilled with an opening weekend split at the Northwestern Lakeside Classic.

“Result-wise, it was disappointing. We wanted to come out with two wins,” The fourth-year coach said. “Two or three years ago maybe we would be more ecstatic.”

When he took the post in 2003, Simmons envisioned the program fielding a schedule that would place it on the national stage.

This season’s schedule does that.

“We built a BCS-type of schedule,” Simmons said. “In ‘03 I felt that by ‘06 we would compete with a schedule that would garner us opportunities to secure top level recruits and get a birth into the tournament.”

Coming off a season in which they went 11-6-2, an NCAA tournament bid isn’t far-fetched.

Simmons estimates that 10 wins could put his squad into the NCAA tournament. The last time the NIU men’s soccer team visited the big dance was in 1973.

“Making the tournament gives you a chance to win a national title,” Simmons said. “You’ve got to give yourself a chance.”

On the field, NIU will miss the reliable hands of goalkeeper Steve Goletz who has moved on to student teaching.

Senior Matt Corcoran will step between the pipes with considerable experience, having played all but one game as a freshman in 2003 when Goletz went down with an injury.

A team based on building their attack from the back, NIU has a series of defenders who can play the type of controlled game that Simmons relishes.

Juniors Steve Algozino and Chris Rufa have been the backbone of the defense, and will be joined by middle defender Drew Jesky to build a solid wall in front of Corcoran.

“For us, our attack starts with the back keeping the games tight,” Simmons said. “If we lose, let’s have the other team earn the right to score.”

Junior Fraser Gibson has been moved back to attacking midfielder, and playing wide will be a pair of veterans that have led the NIU attack for the last two years; seniors Justin McGrane and Kevin Woerner.

A pair of electric forwards lend some creativity to the attack. Junior transfer Marcus McCarty and sophomore Emmanuel Luvert have break-away potential in the open field.

NIU is fortunate to catch defending MAC champ, and favorite for 2006, Akron, at Huskie Soccer Field on Oct. 14. And a late season trip to Buffalo closes the conference slate on Oct. 20, which could determine the MAC regular-season championship.

James Nokes is a Sports Reporter for the Northern Star.