Aug. 26, 2009

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DeKALB - The Northern Illinois men's soccer team took an early lead, but allowed a late goal to DePaul to come away with a tie in an exhibition contest Wednesday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex.

Midfielder Brad Horton (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) scored the Huskies' first goal of the preseason in the 23rd minute of play. The sophomore snapped a shot from the right side to the far post after receiving a pass from forward Juan Hoyos (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley). Senior midfielder Luis De La Cerda (Guadalajara, Mexico/Waubonsie Valley) also was credited with an assist on the play.

NIU head coach Eric Luzzi was pleased with seeing 22 of his players on the field during the exhibition contest.

"Today was very valuable from an assessment standpoint," Luzzi said. "We definitely saw the guys that we know we can count on all the time, and we saw some guys who need just a little bit more time to get caught up with things."

All three Huskie goalkeepers in contention for the starting role saw action, splitting time and playing approximately 30 minutes each. Luzzi said he is excited his keepers are playing at a high level while competing to replace three-year starter Joe Zimka.

"All three guys are playing well, and that's all you can ask for," Luzzi said.

Junior college transfers Chris Tidwell (Shabonna, Ill./Indian Creek/Kishwaukee C.C.) and Nate DuBois (Lemont, Ill./Lemont/Loras) took the first two legs of the goalkeeper relay. Neither allowed a goal or was forced to make a save working behind the NIU defense. Freshman Jordan Godsey (Ocean Springs, Miss./Ocean Springs) took the last 30 minutes, making one save and giving up DePaul's game-tying goal in the 80th minute.

The Huskies controlled the play for much of the first half, when the team's more experienced players were on the field. DePaul, which used only six subs to Northern Illinois' 11, picked up momentum in the second period.

"They had more of the ball, but they weren't more dangerous," Luzzi said of the Blue Demons in the second period. "They scored on a set piece, so, even though they had momentum they didn't score in the run of play."

Northern Illinois kicks-off the regular season against Bradley, Sept. 1 at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Admission is free and play begins at 5 p.