DeKALB — NIU Athletics is loaded with exciting competition and action all weekend long. Friday serves up the start of the action with volleyball in a home showdown against the University of Rhode Island.

The national television action doesn’t stop there though, with football hosting a Southeastern Conference school. Men’s and women’s soccer both travel to in-state schools while cross country paces themselves for their second event of the season. Women’s golf tees off the conclusion of the weekend with the start of a three-day tournament on the other side of the country.

Volleyball

Friday, Sept. 16: vs. University of Rhode Island | 6 p.m.

Watch: ESPN3 | Live Stats: SIDEARM Sports

DeKalb, Ill. / Victor E. Court

Saturday, Sept. 17: vs. University of Southern Indiana | 11 a.m.

Watch: NIUTube | Live Stats: SIDEARM Sports

DeKalb, Ill. / Victor E. Court

After a clean sweep of their competition in the KC Roos Classic, the Huskies (5-3) return home for the start of their five game home stand. Friday begins with a matchup against the Rams, who are 3-7 on the season and have yet to win on the road (0-2). Saturday sees the Huskies court the Screaming Eagles, who are desperate for their first win of the season (0-9).

Hockey

Friday, Sept. 16: vs. John Carroll University | 7:30 p.m.

West Dundee, Ill. / Canlan Ice Sports

Saturday, Sept. 17: vs. John Carroll University | 5 p.m.

West Dundee, Ill. / Canlan Ice Sports

The 67th season of the NIU hockey program begins this weekend. The Huskies will play host to John Carroll University for two games in as many days. First-year head coach Brad Stoffers hopes to lead NIU to an improvement over their 4-24-4 record from last year.

Football

Saturday, Sept. 17: vs. Vanderbilt University | 2:30 p.m.

Watch: CBS Sports Network | Live Stats: SIDEARM Sports

DeKalb, Ill. / Huskie Stadium

On the evening that honors NIU’s 2012 MAC Championship Team, the Huskies (1-1) host Vanderbilt (2-1). Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi was on fire in NIU’s 38-35 loss last week at the University of Tulsa, and will be hoping to see the stadium rocking for the team. This showdown will be a necessary tune-up for their next game against the University of  Kentucky, an AP Top-25 ranked team.

Men’s Soccer

Saturday, Sept. 17: at Western Illinois University | 1 p.m.

Watch: Twitter Broadcast | Live Stats: SIDEARM Sports

Macomb, Ill. / John MacKenzie Alumni Field

Sitting dead even at .500, NIU (2-2-2) looks to add another mark in the win column as they travel west to take on WIU (0-3-2). Last season when these teams faced off, NIU ran away with a 6-0 victory. Expect another possible rotation in goalkeepers, as three different defenders have sat in goal for NIU in their six games thus far.

Women’s Soccer

Sunday, Sept. 18: at Chicago State University | 1 p.m.

Live Stats: StatBroadcast

Chicago, Ill. / Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep

Like the men’s team, women’s soccer sits at 2-2-2 and looks to boast a winning percentage after traveling to Chicago to face the Cougars (1-6-1). NIU’s last two games resulted in 3-0 losses, so the Huskies are eager to tune up their offense.

Cross Country

Saturday, Sept. 17: Tom Hoffman Invitational | 10 a.m.

Whitewater, Wis. / UW Whitewater Campus Course

Nagging pains and injuries are stopping the Huskies from running a full-strength roster. This will still be a great opportunity for those competing to hit their stride and allow others to rest in preparation for the rest of the season. In the season-opening First State Bank Huskie Challenge, Brooke Valentine led the way for NIU with a seventh-place finish on NIU’s North 40 Course. Katelyn Robbins finished 10th while Elizabeth Kramer (12th) and Joy Jackson (13th) joined Valentine with sub-20 minute 6k’s.

Women’s Golf

Sunday, Sept. 18: Coeur d’Alene Collegiate Invitational (Round 1) | All Day

Live Stats: GolfStat

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course

Women’s golf concludes the action-packed NIU sports weekend when they tee off day one of the Coeur d’Alene Collegiate Invitational. That event will run all the way to Sept. 20. The Huskies placed fourth of fifteen teams in their opening competition of the season, and will look to hit that par or improve upon that placing.