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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Men’s soccer signs 3 to 2024 roster

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | December 1, 2023

DeKALB — The NIU men’s soccer team is set to welcome three midfielders to its ranks in 2024 after head coach Ryan Swan announced three signings in an NIU Athletics press release Tuesday. The Huskies added two high school recruits in midfielders...

Senior midfielder Camilo Estrada receives a pass in mens soccers match against Loyola-Chicago on Sept. 26. Despite a loss in the MVC semifinals, heroic performances from the Huskies defense is a building block for the future. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

COLUMN: Reviewing men’s soccer’s surprising season

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | November 27, 2023

After being eliminated from the MVC Tournament by Western Michigan University, there is a lot to be said about the NIU men’s soccer season.  A season that came with many offensive struggles also saw exceptional defense and goalkeeping. In their...

Three men’s soccer seniors earn conference academic recognition

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | November 16, 2023

DeKALB — Three NIU men’s soccer players have been selected to the 2023 Missouri Valley Conference men’s soccer scholar-athlete first and second teams, announced by the league office Wednesday. Senior defenders Dylan Banker and Parker Jeppson...

Then-senior Luis Hernandez handles the ball during a game at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Hernandez and senior goalkeeper Jakub Rojek were named to the MVC All-Tournament team. (Northern Star File Photo)

Rojek, Hernandez named to MVC All-Tournament team

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | November 13, 2023

NIU men’s soccer senior goalkeeper Jakub Rojek and fifth year midfielder Luis Hernandez were named to the MVC All Tournament Team after their performances in the quarterfinals and semifinals.  Rojek faced 64 shots in the tournament, and recorded...

Senior goalkeeper Jakub Rojek stands in the goal ready to block a shot. Rojek turned away 9 Western Michigan shots in mens soccers 3-1 loss in the MVC semifinals on Wednesday in Kalamazoo. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Men’s soccer eliminated from MVC Tournament

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | November 8, 2023

After heading to extra time, NIU men’s soccer was defeated 3-1 by Western Michigan University in the semifinals of the MVC Tournament, ending its season.  The Huskies struck first in the 63rd minute. Junior forward Zachariah Thomas found the back...

Senior goalkeeper Jakub Rojek kicks a ball in an NIU mens soccer home game. The Huskies will face Western Michigan University in the MVC Tournament semifinals on Wednesday. (Courtesy NIU Athletics)

Men’s soccer to face Broncos in MVC Tournament semifinals

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | November 8, 2023

Following a 2-1 victory in the quarterfinals against Bowling Green State University, the No. 5 seed NIU men’s soccer team is set to take on the Western Michigan University Broncos on Wednesday in the semifinals of the MVC Tournament.  The Broncos...

Senior goalkeeper Jakub Rojek roams in front of the net during an NIU mens soccer home game. Rojek recorded a career-high 11 saves en route to a 2-1 victory over Bowling Green State University in the quarterfinals of the MVC Tournament on Sunday. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Men’s soccer defeats Bowling Green in MVC Tournament quarterfinals

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | November 6, 2023

In a win-or-go home situation, senior goalkeeper Jakub Rojek’s career-high 11 saves pushed the NIU men’s soccer team to a 2-1 win against the Bowling Green State University Falcons, sending the Huskies to the MVC Tournament semifinals.  In the...

Members of NIU mens soccer crowd around the ball during their match against the University of Illinois Chicago on Sept. 12, 2022. Fifth-year midfielder Braeden Beard earned the MVC Offensive Player of the Week with 2 assists on Wednesday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Beard’s 2 helpers earns MVC Offensive Player of the Week

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | November 4, 2023

Fifth-year midfielder Braeden Beard has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week honor after his performance on Wednesday against Bowling Green State University. In a must win game for the Huskies, Beard assisted both...

Sophomore midfielder Angel Rodriguez navigates the ball through a Loyola defender. Rodriguez scored the game-winning goal late in the Huskies game against Bowling Green State University on Wednesday. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Arima’s goal lifts men’s soccer to playoffs

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | November 2, 2023

DeKALB – In a must win game for the NIU men’s soccer team (6-8-1, 3-4-1 MVC), goals from sophomore midfielder Angel Rodriguez and junior forward Taisei Arima led the Huskies to a victory over the Bowling Green State University Falcons (7-7-3, 4-4...

Junior forward Taisei Arima rushes the ball up the field in mens soccers MVC opener against Missouri State. The Huskies were shut out by the University of Illinois Chicago by a final score of 2-0 Friday. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Men’s soccer’s offense burned by Flames

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | October 28, 2023

After being outshot 11-22, NIU men’s soccer (5-8-1, 2-4-1 MVC) was defeated in a 2-0 shutout loss by the University of Illinois Chicago Flames (9-4-3, 4-2-2 MVC).  NIU remains in possession of the sixth spot in MVC standings as the team looks to...

Senior goalkeeper Jakub Rojek protects the net during NIUs mens soccers game against Aurora University on Sept. 4. The Huskies will need Rojek to keep up his strong play in order to make the MVP tournament. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

COLUMN: Men’s soccer’s offense must prove itself

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | October 23, 2023

After a loss at Western Michigan University and a win at home against Belmont University, NIU men’s soccer has two games left in the regular season.  Looking to end the season with a .500 win percentage, the Huskies (5-7-1, 2-3-1 MVC) are in sixth...

Sophomore midfielder Angel Rodriguez handles the ball against a Loyola defender on Sept. 26. The Huskies defeated Belmont by a final score of 1-0 Sunday. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Defense, own goal push men’s soccer over Belmont

By Lucas Didier, Sports Reporter | October 22, 2023

DeKALB – No offensive goals were needed for a win Sunday, as a defensive showcase and an own goal gave NIU men’s soccer (5-7-1, 2-3-1 MVC) a victory over Belmont University (8-5-2, 3-3 MVC). NIU was outshot 22-9 on the day with no Huskie players...