DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's soccer team returns home on Tuesday night, September 24, when the Huskies host Milwaukee in the annual contest for the Lewang Trophy. Kickoff against the Panthers is scheduled for 7 p.m., and admission to all NIU Soccer matches is free of charge. 

Tuesday's match is Camper Reunion Night and there will also be a lunchbox giveaway to the first 50 fans in attendance. 

Named in honor of former Milwaukee assistant and NIU head coach John Lewang, the Huskies and Panthers meet annually for the Lewang Trophy. Lewang came to NIU as head coach in 1980 following his time as an assistant at Milwaukee and died in a car accident after his first season leading the Huskies. Since 1981, the two teams have played for a trophy named in his honor.

"This is one of the games that we are always aware of at the start of the year," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "There is a good rivalry between the two programs, we have a lot of respect for those guys and it does have the feel of not just another game, it has the feel like a conference game or a rivalry game."

NIU brings a 2-4-1 record into Tuesday's contest, but the Huskies have won back-to-back games, including a 3-1 victory at Purdue Fort Wayne last time out (Sept. 20). Senior Christian Molina (Katy, Texas/Mayde Creek) and sophomore Miguel Maynez Jr. (El Paso, Texas/New Mexico) each tallied a goal and an assist against the Mastodons while sophomore Nick Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley- Bourbonnais) netted his third goal of the season, Markanich is currently tied for second in the MAC in goals. 

"I think there was always a belief, even when we were getting the results we wanted, that we had the quality to score goals and win games," said Swan. "The last two performances against Bradley and (Purdue) Fort Wayne were good, so hopefully we are on track now and we can keep it going."

Milwaukee brings a 4-3 overall record to DeKalb after falling at Wright State, 4-1, this past Saturday (Sept. 21). Five Panthers have scored a pair of goals this season while Evan Conway and Alex Sykes each have five points to lead Milwaukee. Freddy Lorenzen has played all seven matches in goal, posting a 1.56 goals against average and a .645 save percentage. 

Last season, NIU reclaimed the Lewang Trophy with a 2-1 victory at Milwaukee. NIU trailed 1-0 at halftime before second half goals from senior Irvin Dominguez (El Paso, Texas/Richland College) and sophomore Anthony Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley- Bourbonnais) gave the Huskies the win. The Huskies and Panthers have traded possession of the trophy in each of the last four seasons, with the road team winning each of those four contests. 

Following Tuesday night, NIU's next home game will take place on Saturday, October 5 against sixth-ranked Saint Mary's (Calif.). Kickoff for that match, which has previously been unannounced due to the NIU football game earlier in the day, will be at 7 p.m.