In-state competition has dropped the NIU men’s soccer team to 0-2, but the Huskies will have a chance for redemption today.

UIC (0-2) comes to NIU with an identical record beginning at 5 p.m. at Huskies Soccer Field.

UIC’s Tonci Skroce, born in Zadar, Croatia, transferred from Kendall College after one year, where he scored 15 goals in 20 games. The sophomore has the Flames’ only two goals, more than the Huskies have combined for this season, in 4-1 and 2-1 losses to Denver and Air Force, respectively.

“We’re definitely going to need to take care of that,” NIU coach Steve Simmons said. “But we also need to balance it up and not be too focused on defense so we can attack on offense.”

In NIU’s last three meetings with UIC, the Huskies are winless and have been outscored 6-0. NIU will also look to break its seven-game losing streak to UIC after adding to its three-game losing streak against Eastern Illinois Saturday.

NIU remained scoreless on the season with the 2-0 loss to EIU, in which goalkeeper Steve Goletz and the NIU defense allowed one goal in each period.

The Panther’s Joel Del Toro and Jimmy Klatter assisted each other on their scoring opportunities, with Klatter scoring at the 35:28 mark of the first period, and Del Toro scoring with 11 seconds left in the game.

Physical play was the order of business in the second half, with EIU (2-0) drawing 11 fouls and three yellow cards, which Simmons attributed to the Huskies attacking the net more in the second half.

“We’re still trying to find a group that complements each other,” Simmons said. “We’re confident we’ll find something because we have the pieces here.”

Goletz, who was named the starting goalkeeper over sophomore Matt Corcoran and transfer Brent Hartman, also believes it’s too early to judge the Huskies.

“Until we come together, it’s still going to be the little things that will hurt us,” Goletz said. “Personally, I want to keep up our communication in the back and make that big save to pick up the team and get us going.”