An undefeated start has the NIU men’s soccer team listed as No. 6 in Midwest Regional Soccer Rankings. Coach Steve Simmons’ squad looks to add to its 3-0-1 record this weekend as NIU hosts the Adidas/Baymont Inn Invitational.

Chris VanDuerm and company look to extract some revenge for their football colleagues when they face Northwestern at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Huskie Soccer Field. NIU wraps up the tournament Sunday against Detroit-Mercy at 1:15 p.m.

NEW THREADS

NIU and Adidas have reached an agreement to drape student-athletes in the three-stripe brand. Adidas is now the exclusive supplier of apparel, footwear, uniforms and accessories for Huskie athletics. NIU Athletic Director Jim Phillips hailed the four-year partnership as a great agreement for the entire 17-sport NIU intercollegiate program.

“I am thrilled about our partnership with Adidas,” Phillips said. “This enables us to support 426-student athletes and a 123-person staff.”

Adidas was drawn to the large market location of NIU and the success of its athletic programs. With the football team’s success and the radio partnership with WSCR, 670 ‘The Score,’ the deal means more exposure for NIU; and more NIU Adidas apparel in more stores.

“It is a cross-promotional venture that will work hard to get into regional stores in the suburbs and the city,” Phillips said. “The cross-promotional deal will brand Adidas with NIU.”

Notre Dame and Tennessee are also Adidas schools, both of which are former employers of Phillips.

3-TIMES A LADY

The NIU women’s golf team finished third at the Iowa Intercollegiate Invitational 2005 where All-Mac selection Lisa Bailey placed third individually. The junior shot a 75-78-78-231 in the 54 hole tournament. The host Hawkeyes won the nine-team tournament, NIU trailed second-place Missouri State by four strokes.

NIU takes to the fairways at the Western Illinois Westerwind Classic Monday and Tuesday.

EAGLE-EYE SCHENK

Nick Schenk jump-started his round with an eagle on the par-5 eighth hole at the Fairway-Club Invitational Tuesday. His eighth-hole showing helped drive the senior to a fifth-place finish (73-72-72-217).

NIU placed third in the 13-team event, three strokes behind Missouri State.

NIU hits the links again September 19-20 at the Kansas Invitational.

NIU UNPLUGGED

On Wednesday nights NIU sports talk will be heard over 50,000 watts of AM radio. “NIU Live” begins at 9 p.m., and will air on ‘The Score’ Wednesdays during football and basketball season. Mark Vasco is the studio host for a show that will feature Phillips as a regular guest. Various NIU coaches and a slew of NIU sports personalities are also set to appear.

RUNNING IN CIRCLES

The cross-country team finished fifth in its second event of the season. Freshman Meghan Ginter finished 17th and Ashley Rittenbacher placed 20th in the seven-team tournament. On tap for NIU is the Central Collegiate Championships in Toledo Saturday.