Sept. 24, 2008

Listen to Coach Simmons review last weekend and preview this weekend's match-up.

DeKALB - After entering the national rankings for the fourth straight year, the Northern Illinois men's soccer team will open its Mid-American Conference season, Friday, hosting new MAC affiliate Florida Atlantic at 1:30 p.m. at the new NIU Soccer/Track and Field Complex.

The Huskies (5-1-2) garnered the 24th spot in Soccer America's national rankings after upsetting then-No. 2 SMU, last Friday. Northern Illinois has now been ranked in the top-30 in each of the last four seasons.

"It's a MAC game and all the marbles are on the line," NIU head coach Steve Simmons said. "We're excited that we're playing at home, playing against them. All eyes are on Friday, and we're going to be ready to go."

Last week, Florida Atlantic (2-5-0) opened its inaugural year of MAC play with a 3-0 loss at Buffalo, and a 7-0 loss on the road to No. 10 Akron. Simmons is confident the Owls will bounce back and present his team with a challenge in the programs' first meeting.

"FAU has gone to Akron and Buffalo and struggled there," Simmons said. "I'm sure they are going to find their feet."

Simmons said soccer is played differently across the country, which could account for some of Florida Atlantic's early MAC struggles.

"With kids from Florida, it's a different style of play," he said. "Playing in the Midwest is kind of a rude awakening at times, just because the styles are so contrasting."

The Owls' offense is led by Shire Standnes, who tops FAU's stat sheet with three goals on 18 shots. Five other Owls have found the net once this year. Junior Phillip Lamarre will likely start between the pipes. The keeper has played all but six minutes of 2008, allowing 18 goals through eight matches.

Entering league play, the Huskies ranked third in the MAC with 14 goals, and first in the conference in shots with 142. Freshman midfielder Brad Horton (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) leads the team in both categories. His four goals are tied for the third-most in the league, while his 19 shots rank second.