Oct. 17, 2006

DeKalb, Ill.- College Soccer News announced Monday the selection of Northern Illinois men's soccer goalkeeper Joe Zimka (Algonquin, Ill./ Jacobs) to their National Team of the Week. The announcement marked the first time that Zimka has been nationally recognized by College Soccer News following a shutout win over then ranked #17 Akron on Saturday.

NIU has posted an eight-game unbeaten streak while net minder; Zimka has notched seven uninterrupted shutouts in goal. That streak has tied the school record of consecutive shutouts set by goalie Steve Goletz last year.

"I am very proud of Joe's selection to this week's College Soccer News National Team of the Week," said head soccer coach Steve Simmons. "He's among very good company with nationally recognized players. The fact that he has not been scored on this year is quite impressive. Though the numbers speak for themselves, I am very proud he has acknowledged the defensive efforts of his teammates to garner such staggering statistics. His effort, performance and determination in a modest manner are the epitome of what we try to exemplify here at NIU."

Zimka hasn't allowed a goal in 670 minutes of play action, recorded 34 saves and seven shutouts on the year for the Huskies. Leading the Mid-American Conference, Zimka has a flawless goals against average (0.00) and saves percentage (1.000).

Northern Illinois returns to action this weekend with a match at Buffalo on Friday (Oct. 20) at 6 p.m. (CT) before returning home to face Wisconsin on Sunday (Oct. 22) for a 2:15 p.m. (CT) start.

--NIU--

(For further information, please contact Katie Hein at 815.753.9572).