Andrew Conti remembers the perfectly placed crosses. The set-ups that would land in front of a Huskie would come within 10-feet of the goal. He also remembers the frustration of not being able to finish those opportunities.

It always seemed the men’s soccer team would miss their scoring chances last season, kicking the ball wide or above the goal. NIU’s top goal-scorers, Dan Parisi and Alex D’Orsi, managed just six and two goals, respectively. The lack of offensive output and missed chances cost NIU several games, as the Huskies finished a disappointing 7-9 and 3-3 in the Mid-American Conference.

“We’d create so many opportunities,” Conti said. “We’d get the build-ups and get to the goal but wouldn’t be able to score. We’d get into funks.”

So Conti and his teammates have decided to use this spring season, which continues through the end of April, as a way to develop the offensive punch needed to climb to the top of the MAC. The nucleus of NIU’s solid defensive unit returns, including freshman Brandon Smick and junior Phil Diehl, but much pressure will be placed on Conti, sophomore Peter Agrimson and junior Robby Berkley, to produce goals with the loss of seniors Parisi and D’Orsi.

“I’m going to try and pick up the slack (in scoring),” said Conti, a sophomore forward who had three goals and one assist last fall. “Because Dan and Alex had to take most of the burden for scoring, so I’m looking to fill the void.”

Fortunately, they will have help. Huskie coach Willy Roy has been looking to recruit goal-scorers, and NIU already has signed two in DeKalb High School senior Jeff Whitesall, who will help at midfield, and Downers Grove native Bruce Conrad, who will play up front with Conti. The Huskies also announced the signing of forward Vraham “Cue” Kadkhodaian, a transfer from Indiana, and former prep star at St. Viator High School.

“I’m really excited about [Kadkhodaian],” Conti said. “He’s really quick, and I’m looking forward to playing with him.”

And Roy doesn’t stop there. The veteran coach also hopes to recruit internationally, particularly in Norway, where NIU has a history of solid recruits, including 1997 MAC player of the Year Eirik Frederiksen.

Roy believes that goal-scoring can be the most difficult obstacle to overcome in the game, and he said he knows that it will take time.

“Scoring is a problem in soccer all around the world,” the coach said. “You need skill to be able to score. That’s why we play in the spring; so the kids have to opportunity to do good things.”

The Huskies defeated the Edwardsville-based soccer club, Metro FC, in both contests Saturday. NIU defeated the Under 18 squad 1-0, then the Under 17 team 4-0. NIU will continue spring play next week against Dominican University, then take on Lewis on April 18, followed by Loyola and Northwestern on April 28th.