When the NIU women’s soccer team looks for its first MAC win, it will face Akron and Kent State, two teams that have improved since last facing NIU.

The Huskies will see the Zips at 7 p.m. today at Akron, and the Flashes at 1 p.m Sunday on the road.

The Zips won their second MAC game of the season by defeating Buffalo Sunday in overtime. Buffalo topped the Huskies in its first MAC meeting this season, 4-0.

Akron (3-6-1, 2-4-0 MAC) already has accumulated as many wins as it had in its first two years in the MAC. The Zips posted a 1-22-1 record against conference opponents before this year.

NIU enjoys a 7-1-0 all-time record against the Zips and Golden Flashes.

The Huskies (1-8-1, 0-4-1 MAC) have won both previous meetings with the Zips, including a 2-0 victory last fall at Huskie Soccer Field. Senior Tiffany Anderson scored the first two goals of her collegiate career in last year’s matchup.

“We’re looking to play well together as a team,” said freshman Elaine Eliadis, who had an assist in Sunday’s tie with Ohio.

Akron outshot the Huskies 33-10 during the last meeting, but only six of those shots reached goalkeeper Leigh Steigerwald. The senior blocked all six shots to claim the shutout.

Kent State (8-1-1, 5-0-0 MAC) has been the surprise of the MAC, remaining undefeated in conference play.

The Golden Flashes have become the Hot Flashes as of late, riding an eight-game winning streak and sitting atop the conference standings. The team is off to its best start in school history.

Kent State is coming off a 3-0 win over Robert Morris University, scoring three goals in the first 21 minutes. Golden Flashes’ goalkeepers have combined for a 0.64 goals-against-average.

The Huskies have a 5-1-0 advantage in the all-time series and won 3-2 in overtime last fall at home.

NIU coach Frank Horvat said the key to winning is to play the entire match with intensity.

“Either we play the first half or the last half good,” freshman Megan Kolkay said. “We need to play all 90 minutes.”