March 11, 2008

DeKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois men's soccer team will host two tournaments at Huskie Stadium as part of its 2008 spring schedule, head coach Steve Simmons announced Tuesday.

"When possible, it's nice to stay close to home during the spring so it does not put a stress on potential missed classes due to travel," Simmons said. "It also give fans a chance to catch some matches right here in our back yard."

The Huskies host UW-Green Bay and Bradley, one of two 2007 Elite Eight teams NIU faces, Saturday, Mar. 29 to open the spring season. The matches will be the first chance for fans to see how Sycamore High School's All-American Brad Horton and Kishwaukee All-American Chris Tidwell of Shabbona, Ill. mesh with the team.

"Brad and Chris are getting on well with the team," Simmons said. "They've been a part of a demanding part of the season and have done well to mesh."

Northern Illinois will also welcome DePaul and Dominican for a triangular, April 19. Match times for both invites are set for 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Huskie Football Stadium. Admission to both home tournaments is free.

In addition to the team's two home dates, Northern Illinois will travel to South Bend, Ind. to face Notre Dame, the second Elite Eight team from 2007. The Huskies and the Fighting Irish, ranked eight in the nation at the time, battled to a 1-1 draw in September of the 2007 season.

"We've had epic matches with Notre Dame over the last three years," Simmons said. "I always enjoy playing them because they are well coached and it gives us a good challenge on the road. It will be a true measuring stick of our spring progress."

Another highlight of a loaded spring schedule is the Governor's Cup, a four-team annual tournament featuring NIU, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois. The Huskies have won the trophy in each of the last two seasons, and will look to defend the Cup, April 12th in Edwardsville.

"It's about tradition," Simmons said of the Governor's Cup. "Though it's played in the spring, it still has meaning to the four teams who compete for it."

Simmons also likes the added importance the Cup, which was initially began in the 1970s, brings to spring matches.

"It gives us a chance to play in a spring match that has some meaning, some pressure," he said.

With four spring dates, including two at home, and a variety of competition, Simmons is excited for spring play to begin.

"I'm looking forward to getting back to fundamentals and refocusing on what makes us competitive," he said. "It will also be a time for players to get more minutes and in different positions. In the end, I expect to have a clear picture of what the returners will offer going into the summer."