NIU senior soccer player Becca Bleyer says today will be an emotional day for her and the five other seniors as they play the University of Illinois in the final game of the season.

Bleyer says the seniors have been cherishing everything during their last collegiate season.

“We’ve been experiencing all our lasts — our last practice, our last road trip,” she said. “It’s just all going to come together tomorrow.”

Bleyer, along with fellow seniors Sarah Dickinson, Megan Anderson, Katy Boll, Maria Flores and fifth-year senior Jane Mucci, are the only remaining members of NIU’s most recent Mid-American Conference championship in 1998.

“They’re as good of a group as any group we’ve ever had here,” coach Frank Horvat said. “This year they did a great job of stepping up and leading on and off the field. They’re one of the main reasons why we turned around our performance from last year to this year. I give them a lot of credit for that happening.”

The Huskies (3-13-1) will be the final tune-up for the for the Fighting Illini (9-6-1) before the start of the Big Ten tournament next week.

“They’re a very athletic team,” Horvat said. “They have some outstanding players on that team.”

Horvat also said the Fighting Illini will be the Huskies’ toughest competition of the season. They defeated the Huskies 8-0 last year.

“A win would make the whole thing end on a great note,” Bleyer said.

Because of knee injuries, Ilene Weinstein will not play, and Dickinson’s playing is doubtful. Mucci is expected to play despite a recent back injury.

Both Mucci and Bleyer have played in 78 NIU matches, tying them with Anna Marinaccio for fourth all-time. Mucci has started 73 matches, fifth all-time on NIU’s list. Goalkeeper Boll is third all-time in saves, with 229.