DeKALB - Returning from its first ever trip to Arizona, the NIU women's soccer will take on Illinois State this Sunday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. Central. The match will stream live on NIUHuskies.com.

In the desert last weekend, Northern Illinois University took on No. 23 Arizona and Arizona State at the Cat Classic in Tucson, Ariz. The tournament marked the second-straight weekend that the Huskies were facing off against teams from a Power Five conference as NIU hosted Baylor on Sept. 2.

After creating few chances offensively against the Bears in DeKalb last weekend, NIU slipped past the Wildcats defense multiple times during the match as Taylor Sarver (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) totaled three shots, two on frame.

The NIU sophomore was unable to take advantage of her one-on-one opportunities in the contest, however, but with her speed, she forced Arizona to keep numbers in defense as it was unable to press in the offensive third. The Wildcats scored in the third minute and despite their national ranking, were stifled defensively with the Huskies collective and tight defense in the 18-yard box. UA was awarded a penalty kick in the 81st minute and defeated NIU, 2-0.

Under the Sunday sun in Tuscon, the Huskies were unable to match that same level of play versus Arizona State as the Sun Devils scored two first-half goals and added another on a penalty kick in the 64th minute.

Sarver used her speed against the Sun Devils in the match as well, recording a shot on goal shortly after ASU's third goal as she again broke through the back line.

ISU, who will enter this weekend with a 3-5 clip, is coming off a 2-0 win over North Dakota on Sunday afternoon in Normal. The Redbirds closed the weekend 1-1 as it lost 1-0 to No. 24 Northwestern in Evanston on Friday night.

Illinois State has relied on eight different goal scorers to score nine goals this season, led by Lauren Koehl's two. Brooke Ksiazek has been the team's top distributor from the backline as she has recorded two assists.

The Huskies contest versus the Redbirds will be the team's final non-conference tilt as the team will open Mid-American Conference play on Sept. 23 versus Central Michigan under the lights at NIU Soccer Complex.

This Sunday's match is the first of three-straight home matches for NIU as it will also host Eastern Michigan next weekend.