A showdown with perennial national title contender Akron and match-ups with three NCAA Tournament teams highlight the 2010 Northern Illinois men's soccer schedule, released Wednesday. The Huskies will host the Zips, last year's national runner-up, Oct. 9 at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
"Credit to the guys at Akron; they are clearly the best team in the country, and they are going to be the best team in the country for the foreseeable future," NIU head coach Eric Luzzi said.
NIU is the only Mid-American Conference team to have beaten the Zips in the last five seasons. The Huskies beat the Zips twice in 2006 en route to the MAC Championship and second round of the NCAA Tournament.
"It's a game that our guys get up for, and probably a game their guys get up for too," Luzzi said. "We've had some great battles with them over the last several years."
The Zips are one of several home schedule highlights. The Huskies open their home slate with the annual NIU/adidas Invitational. NIU kicks off the tournament with a Sept. 10 match-up against Oregon State, and takes on Cleveland State, Sept. 12, to wrap up the event. Northern Illinois also welcomes MAC rivals Hartwick (Oct. 2) and Bowling Green (Oct. 30).
"Obviously, Oregon State is another highlight, being that they are a Pac-10 team," Luzzi said. "We know that that is going to be a very difficult game, but it will be an exciting one to start our home schedule with."
NIU defeated the Beavers, who finished second in the Pac-10, 2-0 in Corvallis last season.
"We went out to their place last year and won a tough game, a battle," Luzzi recalled.
The Huskies' road schedule has maintained its traditional luster for 2010. NIU opens the year at the Portland Invitational, Sept. 3-5, facing 2009 Sweet 16 participant Portland and Washington out of the Pac-10.
"To start the season against Portland and Washington," Luzzi said. "With that as our first weekend, we are going to know right away where we are in terms of the nation."
After returning home for the NIU/adidas Invitational, the Huskies face Holy Cross and Gonzaga at the Northwestern Lakeside Classic, Sept. 17 and 19, respectively. NIU faces Wisconsin on the road in non-conference action, Oct. 6. Northern Illinois also takes on Bradley (Sept. 24), DePaul (Sept. 29) and 2009 NCAA Tournament team Northwestern (Oct. 13) on the road.
"Anytime you can play teams from the big conferences, it's a bonus," Luzzi said. "We get DePaul from the Big East, and Wisconsin and Northwestern from the Big Ten. It's a big deal for our guys, who get up for those games."
The Huskies conclude the regular season with a Nov. 4 match-up at Milwaukee for rights to the Lewang Cup. Last time the Huskies played the Panthers in Milwaukee, NIU came away with a 2-2 tie.
"In 2008, we went up to their place and did not get a great result," Luzzi said. "I feel that game may have kept us out of the discussion for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament."
Prior to the official start of the season, NIU will take on Indianapolis, Valparaiso and IPFW in exhibition contests.
