The NIU women’s soccer team brings its undefeated record into the start of MAC play this weekend.

NIU (3-0) has two road matches, the first coming at 4 p.m. Saturday against Ohio, then Sunday versus Marshall (W. Va.) at 1 p.m.

The Huskies, who were 3-14-1 last year, have seven goals thus far and only had four last season at this point.

“They all worked hard this spring and summer,” NIU coach Frank Horvat said. “We’re much improved from a team standpoint.”

“We’re happy with three games, but we can do more than that. We have more to prove to ourselves.”

Horvat will take his improved Huskies to face Ohio (0-4), which is led by senior midfielder Kendra Hornschemeier and sophomore forward Tiffany Horvath.

Hornschemeier is Ohio’s all-time assists leader and Horvath was the MAC Freshman of the Year last season.

Marshall (2-1-2) shut out the Huskies 3-0 last year.

Although Ohio has not won a game, Horvat does not dismiss them.

“We cannot take them lightly. All of us feel that,” Horvat said. “They played a tough schedule.”

The Bobcats and the Huskies have a long history, and it is not favorable to the Huskies. The Bobcats lead the series 5-3-1 overall. The Huskies finished with a 1-1 tie last year against Ohio.

“We gave them a good game last year,” Horvat said. “We all have something to prove, and we will try to prove it. This is more than just one game, one year.”