From now on, NIU women’s soccer coach Frank Horvat wants his team to play the role of the spoiler.

The NIU women’s soccer team lost to Bowling Green last Sunday, silencing the Huskies’ MAC Tournament hopes. NIU would have had to win all of its final games to advance to the tournament.

“Our job is to not help other teams out,” Horvat said. “It’s been a good week of training. Now we have an opportunity to play for pride. We’re trying to build now for the spring season.”

The Huskies will get their first opportunity at 3 p.m. today when they visit Western Michigan.

The Broncos (6-7-1, 5-4-0 MAC) defeated Bowling Green and Toledo last weekend.

“Western Michigan is in a good spot,” Horvat said. “Their next three or four games are pretty important.”

NIU will come back home for a match at 1 p.m. Sunday against Southern Utah State.

Once a team has six wins, it is guaranteed a spot in the tournament. WMU needs one more win to clinch a playoff spot.

NIU (2-11-1, 1-7-1 MAC) comes off its first MAC win against Toledo last Friday, and an overtime loss to Bowling Green on Sunday.

“It’s unfortunate that we’re not going to get to play any longer because we’re only getting better,” Horvat said. “I’m pretty happy with the progress we’re making.”

SUS won its first game last weekend against Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis. The team had been outscored 45-5 prior to Sunday. The meeting will be the first for the two schools.

“We’ll have Maggie Nowicki back, and we’re getting healthier,” Horvat said, “but we’re still a bit banged up.”