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Men’s soccer to play Indianapolis today

August 16, 2011
Sean Totsch

Sean Totsch

Following a victory over Olivet Nazarene in its exhibition opener, the Northern Illinois men’s soccer team will continue preseason action at 5:30 p.m.today when the Huskies host the University of Indianapolis at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex.

Junior Mike Mascitti scored the lone goal in NIU’s 1-0 victory over Olivet Nazarene last Saturday. Sophomore Miles Herbert and freshman Hugo Gonzalez combined to record a shutout against the Tigers.

“I think tomorrow with be a great test,” said NIU head coach Eric Luzzi. “Indianapolis is a very good Division II team. They will come with everything they have and be up for the game. They will want to push the pace, press us and do everything they can to get a result, so our guys will have to manage their own fatigue and still perform the way we expect them to perform.”

Indianapolis finished with a 10-8-0 mark a season ago, advancing to the championship game in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. The Greyhounds return 17 lettermen from their 2010 team and lost just two starters.

Tuesday’s contest against Indianapolis comes on the sixth day of the preseason for the Huskies, leading up to the regular season opener at Saint Louis on Saturday, Aug. 27.

“There are definitely some things that are coming along,” Luzzi said. “There is no question that the guys are really tired so that obviously has an effect on some of the things they are able to do on both sides of the ball.”

Northern Illinois will wrap up the exhibition portion of its schedule Saturday, Aug. 20, when the Huskies face No. 19 ranked Michigan State in Fort Wayne, Ind., at the Shindigz National Soccer Festival. Game time against the Spartans is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

For more information on NIU men’s soccer and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.