DEKALB, Ill. – Sophomore Nick Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) scored the lone goal in the 81st minute as the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team defeated Detroit Mercy, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon at the NIU Soccer Complex in the final exhibition match of the preseason. 

Redshirt senior Konrad Dziedzic (Schiller Park, Ill./West Virginia) and redshirt freshman Martin Sanchez (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) each made three saves in 45 minutes of action to combine for the clean sheet. 

"We have talked about having a winning mentality, so it was almost essential to get a win (to close the preseason)," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "I think we have played well in the three (preseason) games. We have seen the things we need to work on, we have cleaned up some things and I think we are in pretty good shape going into DePaul."

The Huskies held a 59 percent edge in possession in the opening 45 minutes but were unable to break the deadlock. Redshirt freshman Enrique Banuelos (Mexico City, Mexico/Virginia) and sophomore Anthony Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) each sailed a good chance over the bar in the first half as the contest went to the intermission scoreless.

After the break, NIU's edge in possession increased but it was Detroit that came closest to opening the scoring as Garret Weaver flicked a header off the crossbar in the 74th minute. Seven minutes later, Nick Markanich opened the scoring, finishing from near the top of the six-yard box off a low cross from Anthony Markanich for what proved to be the only goal of the match. 

NIU will begin the regular season on Friday, August 30, when the Huskies visit DePaul. Kickoff against the Blue Demons is slated for 4 p.m.