For the first time in 20 years, the NIU men’s soccer team is regionally ranked.

The Huskies (6-3 overall, 1-0 MAC) carry their No. 7 ranking and five-game winning streak into a 3 p.m. match today at Huskie Soccer Field against Wisconsin.

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas Midwest regional rankings last had NIU at No. 4 under former coach Jerry Collins in 1984.

“We’re striving to be among the elite,” NIU men’s soccer coach Steve Simmons said. “We’re not where we want to be, but to be mentioned in the same class as Creighton and St. Louis is awesome.”

NIU will be without senior captain Andy Champion, who’s been out two days with a hamstring injury.

Junior transfer Paul Gabel will step in for Champion, but filling the hole Champion leaves behind is easier said than done, Simmons said.

“Paul has the gift to chatter on the field,” Simmons said. “But he’s still got a lot of learning to do.”

As Champion goes on the injured list, NIU goalkeeper Steve Goletz comes off it.

After missing four weeks with a contusion in his right knee, the sophomore resumed his duties in the net for the Huskies in their 2-1 overtime win against Western Michigan on Sunday.

Brent Hartman, another junior transfer, went 4-0 while filling in for Goletz. He leaves his spot, leading the MAC with a .870 save percentage.

Goletz’s counterpart today, UW’s Eric Hanson, has started in all seven of the Badgers’ games, in which the team went 3-4, recording a .705 save percentage.

“Streaks aside, this sets us up for a big MAC run,” Simmons said about NIU’s three straight MAC games after today. “If we perform with intensity, then we’ll be pleased.”