DeKALB – The NIU women's soccer team (1-4-2) will begin Mid-American Conference play this weekend with two home matches as the Huskies welcome Central Michigan (8-0) on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. CT and Eastern Michigan (2-4-2) Sunday. Note that the time for Sunday's match has been moved UP to Noon CT. Both matches will be streamed live on NIUHuskies.com.
 
NIU is coming off of a 0-0 draw against Illinois State on Sunday where the defense held strong led by goalkeeper Amy Annala (Oswego, Ill./Oswego), who made three saves on her way to her 3rd clean sheet of the season. Forward Taylor Sarver (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) and defender Jess Wooldridge (Center Point, Iowa/Center Point-Urbana) both took two shots apiece, each getting one on goal and Wooldridge put one off of the crossbar in the 26th minute.
 
The Huskies will host CMU on NIU's Golden Greek Challenge Night. Greek chapters are welcome to tailgate prior to the match and the chapter with the highest percentage in attendance will win prizes.
 
Sunday afternoon the Huskies will welcome the Eastern Michigan Eagles for the Join the Pack game. NIU Pup Club pre-registered members are invited to join the Huskies on the field for player introductions with players signing autographs after the match as well.
 
The Chippewas are averaging over two goals per game, led by Alexis Pelafas, who has 19 points on the season with nine goals and an assist. Defensively CMU has only allowed 0.50 goals per game with starting goalkeeper Kristen Knutson giving up three goals in eight games.
 
EMU has scored six goals in seven matches with Ellie Tillar scoring half of the team's goals on the season. Keeper Kaylin Williams has allowed ten goals in seven matches for a 1.34 goals against average.
 
Following Sunday's match, the Huskies will continue MAC play with three straight road matches, starting at Kent State and Ohio next Friday and Sunday respectively.
 
-NIU-