Redemption, champions and inspiration across DeKalb County

OMAHA, Neb. – The Northern Illinois men’s soccer team saw its magical season end on Sunday afternoon, falling 3-0 to No. 2 seed Creighton in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Blue Jays, the nation’s top defensive team, held NIU to just four shots in the contest.

DeKALB – Northern Illinois senior defender Francis Otira called it a whirlwind.

For the second time in five years, the Northern Illinois men’s soccer team can call itself the Mid-American Conference champion.

Sophomore Gael Rivera scored the lone goal of the match as the Northern Illinois men’s soccer team defeated Buffalo, 1-0, on Friday night in the Mid-American Conference Semifinals. Rivera’s 63rd minute tally, off a feed from freshman Isaac Kannah, lifted the Huskies into Sunday afternoon’s MAC Championship game against Western Michigan.

DeKALB – Eric Luzzi believes the Northern Illinois men’s soccer team is in the conversation for an NCAA tournament berth.

MAC to discuss NCAA board's approvals

Northern Illinois athletics ranks among the top universities in the Mid-American Conference, and has once again topped the national average in the Graduation Success Rate of its student-athletes, according to data released Wednesday by the NCAA.

WASHINGTON – NCAA President Mark Emmert backed a proposal to allow conferences to increase grants to student athletes by $2,000, "to more closely approach" the full cost of attending college, beyond the athletic scholarships athletes receive for tuition, fees, room, board and books.

Sophomore James Stevenson scored a pair of goals and senior Pat Sloan recorded a goal and an assist as the Northern Illinois men’s soccer team blanked Western Michigan 3-0 on Wednesday afternoon at the NIU Soccer Complex.

AKRON, Ohio – The Northern Illinois men’s soccer team fell, 2-0, on Saturday night to third-ranked Akron. Darren Mattocks scored both of the goals for the defending national champion Zips.

Despite a 19-6 edge in shots, the Northern Illinois men’s soccer team was surprised by Buffalo, 2-1, in double overtime on Saturday afternoon at the NIU Soccer Complex. Sophomore James Stevenson netted the lone goal of the contest for the Huskies in the 72nd minute.

Sophomore James Stevenson scored in the 26th minute as the Northern Illinois men’s soccer team defeated Drake, 1-0, on Saturday night.

For the second consecutive week, the Northern Illinois men’s soccer team has had a student-athlete named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week as senior defender Francis Otira was named to this week’s team.

Sophomore Karim Darbaki led the No. 20 Northern Illinois men’s soccer team offensive output against Portland, scoring two first half goals off set pieces to lead the the undefeated Huskies (5-0-0) over the Pilots, 4-0. Freshmen Paul Hogan and senior Houston Hoffman also tallied goals in the contest.

Senior defender Pat Sloan of the Northern Illinois men’s soccer team was named earned both Mid-American Conference Player of the Week and College Soccer News National Team of the Week honors on Tuesday. Sloan scored the game-winning goal in each of NIU’s two victories over Oakland and Michigan this past weekend, helping the Huskies improve to 3-0 on the season.

Senior defender Pat Sloan had the game-winning goal for the second consecutive match as the Northern Illinois men’s soccer team defeated Michigan, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon. Sloan’s 38th minute strike kept the Huskies perfect record intact as they move to 3-0 on the season.

Senior defender Pat Sloan scored with five minutes remaining to give the Northern Illinois men’s soccer team a 2-1 victory at Oakland on Friday night. Freshman forward Paul Hogan also scored for the Huskies as they improve to 2-0 on the season.

Northern Illinois athletics announced the latest additions to its Hall of Fame on Friday. Four individuals, one team and one family make up the 2011 Hall of Fame class, set to be inducted Oct. 7.

The Northern Illinois men’s soccer team was picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference preseason coaches’ poll, the league office announced on Tuesday.

INDIANAPOLIS – NCAA President Mark Emmert wants to cash in on the appetite for change that has been sweeping through major college athletics.

Crystal Lake South boys soccer coach Brian Allen announced the commitment of four of his players Thursday, and standout forward Charlie Oliver finally made his long-awaited decision.