The Huskies are ranked 15th in this week's United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll, moving up one spot from last week's ranking of 16th. This is the fourth consecutive week in which the Huskies have appeared in the rankings, tied for the longest such streak in program history. NIU was also ranked for four consecutive weeks in 2011 (Sept. 6-27), reaching as high as 13th that season. NIU is unbeaten in its last six games against ranked opponents (5-0-1), including 3-0-1 this season.
NIU captured the conference regular season crown with its 2-1 victory over Akron this past Saturday (Oct. 20). Pepe Martinez (Sant antoni de vilamajor, Spain/Western Michigan) opened the scoring for the Huskies and Nick Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) scored in the 84th minute to lift NIU to the victory.
Nick Markanich's goal against Akron was his 14th of the season, tied for second-most in the country. He also has 32 points, second in the nation, and five game-winning goals, tied for third-best nationally. For Martinez, his goal against the Zips was his third in the last two games, he is tied for second in the MAC with six goals this season.
Martin Sanchez (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) has the nation's third-best goals against average at 0.48, he is also tied for fifth nationally with eight shutouts and is currently eighth in the country with a .825 save percentage.
NIU currently has the seventh-best offense in the country as the Huskies are averaging 2.53 goals per game. The Huskies also have one of the most formidable defenses in the nation as NIU is allowing just 0.48 goals per game, third best in the country.
Portland brings an 8-5-1 record into Wednesday's contest, including a 3-1-1 mark in West Coach Conference play. The Pilots are unbeaten in their last four matches after playing to a 1-1 draw against Pacific last time out (Oct. 30). Luke Hendel and Alejandro Pereira each have seven points to lead the Portland offense, George Tasouris has played all 14 matches in goal, posting a 0.84 goals against average and a .815 save percentage, which ranks 11th in the country.
Following Wednesday's game, NIU will look ahead to the MAC Tournament next week in DeKalb. The semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 11 at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex with the Huskies set to meet the No. 4 seed in the second semifinal at 6 p.m. The remainder of the field and matchups will be determined on Thursday, Nov. 4, when the MAC concludes the regular season.
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November 03, 2021 at 03:15AM
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15th-Ranked Huskies Close Regular Season at Portland - Northern Illinois University Athletics
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