Do or die for MAC Tourney

By Brian Kelley

It all comes down to this weekend for the NIU women’s soccer as it travels to Ohio to play two must-win conference games.

The Huskies (5-10, 3-7) are in a tight spot as they have to win both Friday’s and Sunday’s contest to make the eight-team MAC tournament that starts Nov. 5.

NIU has nine MAC points, placing them 11th in the conference. In order for the Huskies to earn a berth in the MAC Tournament, a variety of scenarios need to occur involving them, Toledo, Marshall, Eastern Michigan and Buffalo this upcoming weekend.

The first test will be at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. The Rockets are tied with three other teams for seventh place in the conference so Friday’s game has playoff implications for them as well.

“It will be extremely difficult to win this weekend, because number one, we’re on the road, and Toledo needs this game as bad as we do,” coach Frank Horvat said. “It’s going to be a battle.”

The Huskies will then square off against Bowling Green University in Bowling Green, Ohio, on Sunday.

The Falcons have already clinched a berth in the MAC tournament but Horvat stressed that doesn’t mean that they will lay down for the Huskies. In fact, he expects this game to be physical as these teams have amassed nearly 500 fouls between the two of them.

In order for the Huskies to come away with two wins they’ll have to find some offense as they’ve managed just 13 goals this season. In their current four-game losing streak, they’ve put only two shots in the net.

Horvat knows how important these games are and feels that his squad is ready.

“It will be a great challenge for us to win and accomplish our goals this weekend,” Horvat said. “I feel we have the people that could rise up to the challenge and make it happen.”