Just like the recent storms that filled our once parched rain gauges, the NIU women’s soccer team wants their winless drought to end.

The Huskies (2-5-2 overall, 0-2 MAC) continue conference play at 4 p.m. today against Ohio (3-5, 1-1), and at 1 p.m. Sunday against Akron (2-6-1, 0-2). Both matches are at Huskie Soccer Field.

Despite a 0-4-1 record in its last five games, the Coach Marci Miller is encouraged with the effort and improvement her squad has exhibited.

“We haven’t lost because we weren’t organized or didn’t try hard,” Miller said. “We are better now than when we started.”

The offense and leading scorer Karen Enockson are poised to get their defensive teammates a lead to preserve. Youth has been served as a series of freshman; Thea Johnson, Erin Fahey and Ingrid Gonzalez, have come of age for NIU since conference play has started.

Johnson had the best game of her young career, with a persistent offensive attack in a 1-0 loss to Toledo. As the youngsters settle into their roles, a strong veteran influence from seniors Carrie Dvorak, Angeline Impelido and Alexis Terry has NIU confident they can gain a MAC tournament birth. Miller likes the chemistry and attitude of her team.

“We aren’t in a funk,” Miller said. “A team in a funk gives no effort, has no confidence and has thrown in the towel. And that’s not us at all, we are still going strong and we still believe we can get in the MAC tournament and win it.”

NIU has practiced with an emphasis on fundamental improvements on defense and game shape.

The next series of incremental achievements won’t come easy, but they are determined to eliminate the mistakes that prevent victory, Miller said.

“Winning is hard and people take it for granted,” Miller said. “To win, you have got to get all the details right. I look at if people are getting better and playing hard-and they are.”