Creating this thread to talk about all things NIU Soccer 2017, including other #MACtion soccer games. NIU Men's Soccer released the 2017 Schedule earlier today. NIU Men's Soccer Releases 2017 Schedule ~ ~ ~ PRESEASON ~ ~ ~ Exhibition Matches 8/12 - Cardinal and Black Scrimmage (DeKalb, IL) 8/15 - Loyola (DeKalb, IL) 8/19 - Drake (Ames, IA) ~ ~ ~ REGULAR SEASON ~ ~ ~ 2017 Season Opener 8/25 - DePaul (DeKalb, IL) Evansville Tournament 9/1 - Bradley (Evansville, IN) 9/3 - Evansville (Evansville, IN) NIU Adidas Invitational 9/08 - Stetson (DeKalb, IL) 9/10 - UT-Rio Grande Valley (DeKalb, IL) Utah Valley Tournament 9/15 - Omaha (Orem, UT) 9/17 - Sacramento State (Orem, UT) LeWang Cup 9/20 - Milwaukee (DeKalb, IL) Remaining Non-Conference 9/23 - Western Illinois (Macomb, IL) 9/26 - UIC (Chicago, IL) 10/3 - Valparaiso (DeKalb, IL) MAC Schedule 10/07 - West Virginia (Morgantown, WV) 10/14 - Western Michigan (DeKalb, IL) 10/21 - SIU Edwardsville (DeKalb, IL) 10/28 - Bowling Green (Bowling Green, OH) 11/04 - Akron (Akron, OH) ~ ~ ~ POSTSEASON ~ ~ ~ MAC Tournament (Hosted by Regular Season Champ) 11/10 - Semifinals 11/12 - Final NCAA Tournament 11/16 - First Round (Campus Sites) 11/19 - Second Round (Campus Sites) 11/25 - Round of 32 (Campus Sites) 12/02 - Quarterfinals (Campus Sites) 12/08 - College Cup Semifinals (Philadelphia, PA) 12/10 - College Cup Championship (Philadelphia, PA) Good regional slate with 7 of 11 non-conference games against teams from IL, WI, and IN (Big East, MVC, Horizon, Summit). I really like seeing DePaul and Bradley back on the schedule. Too bad that Northwestern is scared shitless of NIU (consult my Signature).
From April 2017: Huskies Add First Six Recruits for 2017 NIU 2017 additions: Konrad Dziedzic (GK, Transfer WVU) Lawrence Kwazema (MF) Noel Lopez (FW) Brady Manning (DF) Edmond Montano (DF) Parker Moon (FW)
From January 2017: Ryan Swan Selected to Lead NIU Men's Soccer Program Ryan Swan joins NIU after leading the Drury University men's soccer program for the last eight seasons, recording a 106-47-8 (.683) record during his tenure as head coach of the Panthers. During his first season as head coach at Drury, Swan guided the Panthers to a 21-2 overall record, winning the school's first Great Lakes Valley Conference regular season and tournament crowns, while also making the school's first appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament. In his last season, Swan led Drury to a 13-4-4 overall record and the Round of 16 in the NCAA Division II Tournament. Swan's eight seasons in charge at Drury included four appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament (2009, '12, '14, '16). From 2010-12, Swan also served as the NSCAA Missouri State Technical Coordinator. A native of Perth, Scotland, Swan attended Truman State, where he was a two-time NSCAA All-Region First Team honoree as a player for the Bulldogs and went on to play semi-pro soccer for the Des Moines Menace and the Kansas City Brass following his collegiate career. Year-by-Year Head Coaching Record 2009: 21-2 (NCAA Division II Tournament Sweet 16) 2010: 11-7 2011: 13-8 2012: 12-5-2 (NCAA Division II Tournament First Round) 2013: 13-7 2014: 16-5 (NCAA Division II Tournament Second Round) 2015: 7-9-2 2016: 13-4-4 (NCAA Division II Tournament Sweet 16) Overall: 106-47-8 (.683)
New additions for 2017: Freshmen Noel Lopez, MF (Bensenville, IL) Alex Welch, F (Carmarthen, Wales) Sheridan Smith, F (Webster Groves, MO) Parker Moon, F (Lees Summit, MO) Edmond Montano, D (Addison, IL) Zavier Ware, D (Whitefish Bay, WI) Brady Manning, D (Lenexa, KS) Transfers Jan Maertins, F, So. (Marquette) Logan Hatter, MF, So. (Liberty) Konrad Dziedzic, GK, So. (West Virginia)
2017 Fall Game Day Promotions http://niuhuskies.com/sports/2016/6/13/promotions-html.aspx Friday, August 25, 2017 vs. DePaul Huskie Freshman Kickoff/Season Opener -NIU Freshmen students will be getting their first look at NIU Athletics at the Huskie Fall Kickoff at Huskie Stadium. Immediately following rally, students will be given the opportunity to see their Men's Soccer program. Friday, September 8th, 2017 vs. Stetson International Night -Pre-Game Tailgate with Cultural Student Organizations -Halftime performance by NIU Tumbao dance group -Music from around the world played throughout the night -NIU Soccer Camper Reunion/NIFC Night Sunday, September 10, 2017 vs. Texas-Rio Grande Valley Youth Team Day -Halftime Scrimmage for attending youth programs -Bounce House available for children to enjoy -AYSO Day Wednesday, September 20, 2017 vs. Milwaukee Soccer Scarf Giveaway -Lucky NIU students who attend the game will win an NIU Soccer Scarf -Battle for the LeWang Trophy -Campton United Night Saturday, October 14, 2017 vs. Western Michigan Kick Cancer Night -Kish Cancer Center Patients and Caretakers Recognition Saturday, October 21, 2017 vs. SIU Edwardsville Senior Night -NIU Men's Soccer Senior Pre-Game Recognition
MACtion over the Big East tonight as NIU defeats DePaul 3-2 (extra time) in the season opener for both clubs. NIU scored first to take a 1-0 lead, DePaul countered to tie it at 1-1, and NIU scored again to take a 2-1 lead all in the first 9 minutes of the match. The score remained the same until DePaul tied the match at 2-2 with 4 seconds left in regular time with a free kick from just outside of the box. NIU brings the victory home with a winner in the 97th minute. Haas, Pacheco, and Coardos with goals for NIU. With the victory, NIU improves its overall record against DePaul to 14-3-2 (W-D-L) for a .816 win percentage.
The Huskies dropped a couple last weekend in Evansville and split a couple of matches this weekend in DeKalb. NIU went 1-1 over the weekend, finishing behind the 2017 NIU Adidas Invitational Champ UT-Rio Grande Valley (2-0). Loyola also went 1-1 in the tournament and Stetson finished 0-2. NIU Men's Soccer is 2-3-0 (W-L-D) on the year. Next Up: NIU heads to Orem, UT next weekend to play Omaha (9/15) and Sacramento State (9/17) in the UVU Tournament.
NIU starts off the weekend right by taking down #10 Omaha. Huskies Down No. 10 Omaha on First Half Maertins Goal
Huskies dropped one against Sacramento State last Sunday to finish 1-1 in the UVU Tournament. NIU looks to rebound tonight (7pm kickoff in DeKalb) in its defense of the LaWang Cup against Milwaukee.
The Huskies were unsuccessful in defending the LeWang Cup last week so it headed north for the next year. Apparently, the match against Western Illinois was cancelled at some point. I don't recall ever seeing an announcement. Last night, the Huskies finished the month of September by dropping a match in Chicago versus UIC. Next up: NIU hosts Valparaiso on Tuesday (10/3) to finish off non-conference play, then travels to Morgantown to take on West Virginia in the MAC opener on Saturday (10/7).
NIU opened up MAC play with a draw at Morgantown against West Virginia, this past Saturday. NIU took an early 1-0 lead in the 27th minute but WVU was able to get the equalizer in the 38th and that's how it ended, a 1-1 draw. Up next: NIU hosts a ranked Western Michigan squad in its MAC home opener this upcoming Saturday (10/14) on Kick Cancer Night. Kickoff is schedule for 7pm.
The Huskies fell to 0-1-1 in MAC play this past Saturday. Up next: NIU looks to rebound against SIU Edwardsville in DeKalb this Saturday (10/21) on Senior Night. Kickoff is scheduled for 6pm.
NIU and SIU Edwardsville played to a scoreless tie at the end of regulation. In the 98th minute, it was the Cougars that struck to take the match 1-0. Up next: NIU travels to Bowling Green to take on the Falcons on Saturday (10/28). Kickoff is scheduled for 6pm CT.
The Huskies struck first but would not score again while Bowling Green was able to get multiple shots past goal to take the home match. Up next: NIU plays its regular season finale on the road against top-ranked Akron on Saturday (11/4). Kickoff is scheduled for 6pm CT.
NIU ended its 2017 season with a loss at Akron. Excited to see what Year 2 brings under Head Coach Ryan Swan next season. Up next: Hopefully multiple bids for MAC Soccer in the NCAA Tournament. GO MACtion!