After 12 games and six straight shutouts, the NIU men’s soccer team received a No. 22 ranking in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas Poll.

The Huskies (8-2-2 overall, 1-0 MAC) are also ranked No. 2 in the Midwest behind Missouri State after going unbeaten in their last six games.

“The next step is a challenge,” NIU coach Steve Simmons said. “It’s all about how the players handle it. They have to remember to continue to play for the right reasons, because the rankings are out of our control.”

The last time NIU was ranked came in 1991 at No. 22 and 24. The highest ranking ever by the Huskies came under Jerry Collins in 1984 at No. 16.

MID-MAJOR WHAT?

With NIU cracking the Top 25, three of the MAC’s six teams are nationally ranked.

Akron is No. 1 in all four national collegiate soccer polls at 11-0 and leads the nation with 42 goals heading into today’s game against St. John’s.

Buffalo is ranked No. 21 in the NSCAA/Adidas Poll. It also received nine votes to the Huskies’ 19 votes in the SoccerTimes.com poll. NIU’s total was the most votes for a non-Top 25 team.

“It’s fantastic we have this scenario in the MAC,” Simmons said. “But we have to treat it accordingly. It’s going to be a test of our fortitude, energy and depth.”

NIU’s next four games include matches against MAC foe Western Michigan, No. 25 Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Akron and Buffalo.

NATIONALLY RANKED 2

NIU junior goalkeeper Steve Goletz is No. 4 in the nation in save percentage (.892) with 33 saves on the season, and No. 6 in goals-against-average (.39).

The Downers Grove native has allowed four goals in 10 games this fall.

The Huskies are 8-0-2 when Goletz starts in net as NIU has not allowed a goal in its last 560 minutes of play.

The last time the Huskies were scored on was during their 2-0 loss to Detroit-Mercy Sept. 18.

Freshman Joe Zimka took over the goalkeeping duties for Goletz against UDM and the previous game against Northwestern. Both games were NIU’s only losses on the year.

Goletz suffered a concussion against Valparaiso, but since his return the Huskies have recorded six straight shutouts.

“As a defensive unit, a shutout is as good as a great goal,” Goletz said. “We can’t lose if we’re not scored on. I’d like to think that if the offense knows we’re playing well defensively then that will give them more confidence to take chances.”

WOMEN’S SOCCER NOTES

GOOD HANDS, INC.

A pair of the top goalkeepers in the MAC will be on display Friday afternoon at Huskie Soccer Field when NIU hosts Central Michigan. CMU has built their stout 5-0-1 MAC record with steady play from Ann Decker, the reigning MAC player of the week. Decker posted back-to-back 1-0 wins, and she owns a sturdy 1.11 goals against average and has 50 saves.

NIU’s Carrie Dvorak has faced 198 shots, 40 more than Decker, and owns a scant GAA of 1.33. Dvorak also has 71 saves.

Assistant coach Paul Jobson said the key to cracking the scoring column against CMU is “to keep firing shots and make Decker make saves.”

HOME COOKIN’

NIU is 3-3-1 at Huskie Soccer Field and looks to keep its two-game home-winning streak intact. With a 1-3-1 road record, Jobson knows NIU must take care of business at home to advance to the MAC tournament.

“The team is excited to be back home,” Jobson said. “It’ll be nice to play in front of our own fans and sleep in our own beds. We know we need to get going if we want to get into the MAC tournament.”

CAMP NOTES

There was no rest for a weary coach at the U.S. National team camp. Marci Miller flew in directly from Buffalo, and after a long night of travel, was welcomed to a double practice session in the morning. Jobson, also Miller’s husband, will talk to the boss before and after practices this week.

“Things are going well at camp; it’s awesome for her to play with the best players in the world,” Jobson said. “Marci will call to check up on me and keep her thumb on everything that’s going on in practice.”

A FRESHMAN GRINDER

A recent offensive surge has made freshman midfielder Jenna Clausen NIU’s second-leading scorer.

Jobson said Clausen is a great ball winner and likes the intensity and determination his freshman defender has exhibited.

“Jenna has three or four goals that have been called back this year,” Jobson said. “She could have put her head down, but she didn’t; she used it as motivation to find the back of the net.”