DEKALB, Ill. – Mid-American Conference play begins this weekend for the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team as the Huskies host Western Michigan on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. at the NIU Soccer Complex, admission to Huskie soccer games is free of charge. The contest will be Student Appreciation Day as the first 100 students attending the contest will receive free ice cream. 

"We are excited to get going in the MAC," said NIU head coach Michael O'Neill. "My first MAC game, I know it's a tough conference and part of the reason I took the job was for the challenge that the MAC poses. We definitely laid the foundation during the early part of the season through the non-conference. There has been progression, a lot of growth, our team has evolved a lot since the first game at Eastern Kentucky. 

"Now we start a tough conference schedule at home against Western Michigan, who are a fierce opponent and have been successful in the MAC over a number of years. There aren't any easy games in the MAC, but I think we start with a very tough opponent, and we are ready for the challenge."

Following Thursday's league opener, the Huskies will travel to Toledo on Sunday, Sept. 25 for a 12 p.m. CT kickoff to close the weekend.

NIU enters league play with a 3-2-2 mark following a 2-0 victory over Chicago State in the non-conference finale (Sept. 18). Claudia Muessig (Paw Paw, Mich./Paw Paw) and Aubrey Robertson (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) each scored in the victory over the Cougars, Muessig's goal was her second of the season while Robertson netted the first goal of her collegiate career. 

Huskie goalkeeper Deighton Wamer (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) made two saves against Chicago State to collect her second shutout of the season. Wamer was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week following her shutout against the Cougars and 45 minutes of scoreless action against Wisconsin (Sept. 12). 

"Going into conference play after a win and with spirits high is a great way to bring the morale of the group up," said O'Neill. "Getting the shutout and Deighton (Wamer) getting MAC Defensive Player of the Week gives us some great things to go into conference play with."

Western Michigan comes to NIU with a 0-4-3 record after falling at Marquette, 2-0, in its final non-conference game (Sept. 15). Reagan Wisser leads the Broncos in scoring with three goals, which is tied for fifth-most in the conference. Hannah Sargent has played six of Western Michigan's seven matches in goal, posting a 1.90 goals against average and a .744 save percentage; Sargent leads the conference with 5.33 saves per game. 

Toledo head into the weekend with a 1-4-2 record and will open with a matchup at Bowling Green on Thursday (Sept. 22) before hosting NIU on Sunday (Sept. 25). Morgan Otteson has scored four goals to lead the Rockets in scoring, tied for second-most in the MAC. Emma Boutorwick and Karson Hill have split time in goal for Toledo. 

Next week, the Huskies will travel to Ball State on Thursday, Sept. 29, before returning home to host Central Michigan on Sunday, Oct. 2.