DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's soccer team will host a pair of games over the next five days as the Huskies welcome Lindenwood to the NIU Soccer Complex on Thursday, Sept. 8, before hosting UIC on Monday, Sept. 12. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. and admission is free of charge. 

"It's the first time we are playing them here at NIU, but I've known Lindenwood and Coach (Carl) Hutter for a long time and coached against him many times," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "We have an idea; we have done our scouting report and we know that it will be a tough game. Coach Hutter always has his teams well organized, and they have had a lot of success.

"We are excited to get back on our home field again, build from Monday's game (against Milwaukee) and hope to keep seeing improvements."

NIU is 2-1-1 overall and unbeaten in its last three after topping Milwaukee, 3-2, on Monday night (Sept. 5) to retain possession of the Lewang Cup. Taisei Arima (Machida, Japan/Fort Hayes State) scored twice against the Panthers, giving him three goals in the last two games, and Taylor Davis (Wichita Falls, Texas/Wichita Falls) scored his first collegiate goal, the game-winner in the 88th minute. 

The win over the Panthers also extended NIU's home unbeaten streak to 11 matches as the Huskies did not suffer a loss at home a season ago. 

Six of NIU's nine goals this season have been scored by newcomers with Patrick Coleman (Antioch, Ill./Notre Dame) and Angel Rodriguez (Elgin, Ill./Ignite Christian Academy) adding to Arima's three and Davis's tally against Milwaukee. 

Lindenwood comes to NIU following setbacks against SIU Edwardsville and Missouri State to open the season. The Lions are in their first season in Division I and are members of the Summit League in men's soccer. 

UIC brings a 0-2-1 record into the week and will meet Chicago State on home on Friday (Sept. 9) before coming to DeKalb on Monday. The Flames have faced a difficult non-conference slate with each of their three opponents currently ranked in their respective regions. 

Following the home contests against the Lions and Flames, NIU will return to the road for five-straight games, beginning with a trip to Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 17.