Numerous challenges will face the NIU men’s soccer team when it travels to Madison, Wis., to participate in the University of Wisconsin’s Rocky Rococo Classic.

The Huskies will play their first regular season game against Alabama A&M University Friday, followed by a Sunday meeting with St. Francis (NY) College.

NIU has not faced either team in recent years and all three know little about each other, NIU coach Willy Roy said.

St. Francis went 10-6-1 last season and made it to the Northeast Conference semifinal.

“St. Francis is always at the top in the East,” Roy said. “I will get a chance to scout them after we play Alabama A&M on Friday.”

“This should be a lot of fun,” Roy said. “We have to play smart one and two touch soccer.”

Injuries have left the Huskies short-handed at the forward position. Senior Rob Berkley is out with a hairline fracture in his foot and freshman Bernhard Hagevik is out with abdominal complications.

In addition, freshman starter Vrahram Kadkodaian had to leave the last exhibition game, a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Sockers, with a strained muscle in his leg.

“(Kadkodain) came out of the game after about ten minutes, but I talked to him after the game and he said he would be ready to go this weekend,” Roy said.

The Huskies will rely on their defense this weekend, which posted two shutouts in exhibition games against Dominican University and the Sockers.

“The defense is ready to go,” Roy said. “Rasih Pala has been really solid in the net for us so far. Our first team defense did not allow a goal in exhibition play.”