DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's soccer team brings an eight-game win streak into its Mid-American Conference home opener as the Huskies welcome fourth-ranked West Virginia to the NIU Soccer Complex on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 9, at 3 p.m. 

NIU bookbags will be given out to children while supplies last and free pizza will be provided to NIU students. Admission is free of charge. 

"I think homefield advantage could be the difference with where we are and where we end the season," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "If the NIU Soccer community can come out and help us through these three home games that we have coming up, it could be the edge to push us on. 

"If you look around the conference, the likes of West Virginia, Akron, Bowling Green have done a good job getting their crowds out to the games. I don't think there is any coincidence that has helped them be successful over the years. We would love to establish something here where we have a good venue for the students and the community to come out and hopefully tomorrow is a good starting point for that."

The Huskies come into Saturday's contest with a 9-1 overall record, 1-0 in league play, and their eight-game win streak is the fifth-longest current win streak in the country, behind only New Hampshire (11), Washington (10), Georgetown (9) and Tulsa (9). 

Last time out against Western Michigan, the Huskies earned a 3-0 victory with goals from Pepe Martinez (Sant antoni de vilamajor, Spain/Western Michigan), Nick Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) and Enrique Banuelos (Mexico City, Mexico/Virginia). Banuelos also tallied a pair of assists in the contest as he earned MAC Player of the Week honors, he is currently tied for fourth in the country with seven assists. 

Markanich's goal against the Broncos was his national-leading 12th of the season, he has scored in eight consecutive games, which is also a school record, and leads the country with 26 total points. 

With his shutout against Western Michigan, Huskie goalkeeper Martin Sanchez (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) tied the nation lead with seven clean sheets this season. NIU also leads the nation in scoring offense, averaging 3.00 goals per game, and goal differential at +27 (30 goals for, three goals against). 

West Virginia brings an unbeaten 6-0-4 record into Saturday's contest, the Mountaineers have played to draws in each of their last two games, including a 0-0 tie with Akron in their conference opener. Yoran Popovic has scored four goals to lead West Virginia in scoring as 11 different Mountaineers have scored at least one goal this season. Steven Tekesky has played all 10 games in goal, recording a 0.46 goals against average and a .783 save percentage. 

Tekesky has recorded six shutouts this season, tied for third best in the country. 

"You try not to get caught up in the individual opponent," said Swan. "It doesn't matter if they are ranked or not, there is three points on the line and that is the priority. Based on their start to the season, and ours, it adds a little more spice to the game, and it is an exciting one."

The fourth-ranked Mountaineers are the highest-ranked opponent to come to NIU since Oct. 13, 2012, when Akron came to the NIU Soccer Complex ranked second in the country. 

NIU has won three-straight games against ranked opponents dating back to last season. The Huskies beat No. 15 Akron, 3-0, on March 14, 2021, and No. 21 Akron, 3-1, on April 4, 2021. Earlier this season, NIU downed 18th-ranked Marquette, 3-0, on Sept. 10. 

Following Saturday's conference home opener, NIU will remain at home as it hosts Bowling Green on Saturday, Oct. 16. Kickoff against the Falcons is slated for 7 p.m.