DEKALB – The NIU women's soccer team will begin its 2017 season as they kickoff against Western Illinois in Macomb on Friday at 5 p.m. The Huskies will open up at home on Sunday at 1 p.m. against New Mexico State at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
 
NIU won their matchup against WIU last season in DeKalb 1-0 on a goal from Taylor Sarver and a shutout from Amy Annala. All-time against the Leathernecks, the Huskies have a 2-2-3 record with last year's win being their first against Western Illinois since 2004.
 
The Huskies are coming off of their two exhibition games against Cincinnati and Drake where they saw improvements going from a 4-0 loss at Cincinnati to a 1-1 draw against Drake at home. The major takeaway for the NIU coaching staff after the preseason is flexibility in their lineups with a majority of the roster being expected to play multiple positions on the field.
 
NIU will also play their home opener on Sunday afternoon against New Mexico State in the first ever matchup between the two programs. The Huskies had a significantly better home record last season going 3-2-4 in their nine home matches with only two wins and a draw away from DeKalb in 2016.
 
Sunday's game will be Victor E.'s Sunday FUNday and Lemonade Day at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Pre-game activities, inflatables, sign making and free lemonade along with post-game autographs and meet and greet.
 
After the game on Sunday, the Huskies will not play until a week when they start a stretch of three-straight road matches. Starting on Aug. 27 when they face Wisconsin in Madison then they will play UIC on Wednesday Aug. 30 before traveling to face Green Bay on Sunday Sept. 3.