0-2 is not the way to start out a season. The Green Bay Packers are 0-2, the Seattle Seahawks are 0-2 and the NIU men’s soccer team is 0-2.

While the Packers and Seahawks are accustomed to starting the season that way, Coach Willy Roy and the Huskies are not.

After Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the Illinois State Redbirds, the Huskies are in unfamiliar territory, but Roy is not overly concerned.

Realistically, it is early in the season, but after two consecutive shutouts, things can get frustrating. But coming into the season opener, the Huskies had some question marks.

Also, the Huskies have been playing some excellent teams. The Billikens of St. Louis are undefeated at 3-0 as are the Redbirds. Wednesday’s opponent, the DePaul Blue Demons, already have two victories to the Huskies’ none.

Furthermore, standout midfielder Todd Moore is coming off knee surgery, defenseman Jay Konrad lost more than ten pounds due to food poisoning and the defense has allowed seven goals in two games. Three of the top four scorers from last year’s team are gone, and the Huskie Soccer Field is in shambles causing NIU to play on the practice field.

But the field will be ready shortly, Moore’s knee has not been a problem and Konrad says he has been feeling better and getting stronger.

As far as the rest of the problems go, somebody has to pick up the slack which has not happened so far. Last season Karsten Roy was NIU’s go-to-guy and coach Roy has been waiting for somebody to fill his shoes.

Coach Roy said that defensive captain Dave Weichman will be the “first to admit about the bad play” but Roy also said, “I am not down on this team.” As far as taking over for Karsten, that is not something you can teach. “Somebody will put the ball in the goal,” Roy said.

St. Louis has Brian McBride and ISU has Milo Iniguez, who combined for three goals and two assists against NIU, while the Huskies were shut out.

Roy has big plans for his team. He said after a victory Wednesday and one in the home opener Friday against Loyola University, his squad will be 2-2 and it will be a “totally different ball game,” but first they will have to “wake up and smell the coffee.”

The team has not been playing that bad but “lack of individual concentration has been hurting us,” Roy repeated. “Everyone has to look at their own job description. The defensemen must play defense, the midfielders must pass and score and the forwards must score goals.”

Roy added that he was a great bunch of kids, and they have his support. It seems to be just a matter of time before they get back on track. Wednesday is a good time to start.