As the NIU women’s soccer team opens this season, they hope to begin on an exceedingly different note than they ended last season.

The Huskies ended the 2003 season with a loss to Wisconsin-Green Bay. At 5 p.m. today, NIU opens the year against the same Phoenix team.

Last year, the Huskies were up 2-1 and leading at halftime before the wheels fell off in the second half. The Huskies ended up with a 3-2 loss to end their season.

NIU coach Frank Horvat said today’s game will serve as payback for his returning players.

“I know that all of our returners remember last season’s game,” Horvat said. “It is a good contest between us, on and off each year, and it is a good way to start our season.”

“Our goals right now are to go into that game, and to go in there with the attitude that we are going to win,” Horvat said.

Leading the way for the Phoenix is junior midfielder Sarah Oligney. Her 21 points and nine assists earned her co-player of the year honors last season.

As the Huskies prepare to face the Phoenix, they have plenty of questions that need to be answered, so this game is more of a trial, Horvat said.

“We’re going there to win,” Horvat said. “Is it something we definitely want to win? Absolutely. Are we going to remind them of it as coaches? Absolutely.”