NIU men’s soccer coach Steve Simmons said his team hasn’t been tested or proven it’s a force to be reckoned with.

Simmons wanted his team to understand that after beating Kentucky Oct. 10 to take first place in the MAC, it’s common for teams to have a letdown after a big win.

The Huskies (11-4 overall, 5-1 MAC) proved they were up for the test this weekend, beating both Valparaiso at home Friday and host Buffalo on Sunday 3-0.

Senior Bernhard Hagevik and freshmen Steve Algozino and Curt Zastrow scored one goal apiece in each game for NIU.

The Huskies have outscored their opponents 17-6 in the first period this year, and Zastrow continued the trend, scoring five minutes into the game against Valpo (3-6-3).

After Hagevik assisted on Zastrow’s goal, the Oslo, Norway native notched his second goal of the year 1:34 into the second half to give NIU a 2-0 lead.

With 7:41 remaining in the game, Algozino slammed the door on Valpo, scoring on a header off a pass from Tony Deldin for his first goal of the year.

Simmons said, as with all NIU’s wins this year, that its play against Valpo was defined by its intensity.

“I see it as being a state of mind,” Simmons said. “It’s what you do before the game starts, and your movement in the match is a reflection of how you prepared before the game. We’ve seen a huge difference in our play when we start a game strong and capture the momentum early.”

NIU continued its first-half strength against Buffalo (7-6-1, 1-4), with Hagevik and Zastrow scoring within the first 20 minutes of the match off Jose Alvarado assists.

In the second half, Algozino registered his second goal of the season at the 64:30 mark, while NIU goalkeeper Steve Goletz registered his fifth shutout in 10 starts.

“Steve [Goletz’s] situation is a manner of having confidence and commanding the box,” Simmons said. “The scary thing is I don’t think he’s played his best soccer yet.”

If the Huskies beat Akron Oct. 24, they will be crowned the MAC regular season champions.