NIU women’s soccer has two Mid-American Conference games left and needs to win both. It also needs to have other teams lose to make the MAC tournament..

“I’d like to look at and focus on the possibility of that happening,” said assistant coach Joe McCauley. “The reality of it may be a little slim, but it certainly is a possibility. We just need some luck.”

In addition to having to beat Ohio and Marshall this weekend, the Huskies (3-10-1, 3-7 in MAC) need:

* Toledo (currently holding the 8th playoff spot) to lose its remaining MAC game against Akron;

* Ball State to lose or tie two of its last three MAC games; and

* Kent State to lose one of its last two games.

“I know we can do our part, but I don’t know about the other teams,” said senior Jane Mucci.

The Huskies’ match with Ohio (8-6, 7-2 in MAC) this afternoon will be their first at the Huskie Soccer Field since Oct. 7.

The Bobcats defeated the Huskies 7-2 last season. The all-time series between the teams is tied 3-3.

“The last couple of years, they have been a very solid team,” McCauley said.

“They’re very clean on the ball,” he added. “They’re very technical. They work the ball around well. They’ve got very good athletes. They’ve always been a team that’s given us trouble.”

Marshall (8-6-1, 5-4-1 in MAC), who visits NIU Sunday, recently clinched a spot in the MAC tournament for the first time in the four-year history of the program. The team defeated the Huskies 7-3 last year, but NIU leads the all-time series 2-1.

“They have some very strong players in the center of the park,” McCauley said. “Their defenders weren’t bad. Their goalkeeping wasn’t bad. Their speed is good. They were probably one of the most improved teams in the conference, and they play well.”

The Huskies are in the midst of their best playing of the season, having won two of their last three games. But NIU has yet to win at home this year.

Huskie defender Ilene Weinstein will not play this weekend because she injured her knee.