# Northern Illinois Huskies men's soccer

The Northern Illinois Huskies men's soccer team is the college soccer team that represents Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb, Illinois, United States. The school's team competed in NIU's full-time home of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) through the 2022 season, after which the conference stopped sponsoring men's soccer. NIU moved that sport to the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) effective with the 2023 season, joining fellow MAC members Bowling Green and Western Michigan in this move. NIU men's soccer started playing in 1962 and has appeared in the NCAA Tournament four times (1973, 2006, 2011, 2021). The Huskies are coached by Ryan Swan.

## Season-by-season records

Statistics overview :
| Season | Coach | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason |
| Bob Kahler (Independent) (1962–1962) ||||||
| 1962 | Bob Kahler | 0–5 | | | |
| Bob Kahler: | Bob Kahler: | 0–5 | | | |
| William Healey (Independent) (1963–1968) ||||||
| 1963 | William Healey | 3–4 | | | |
| 1964 | William Healey | 3–4 | | | |
| 1965 | William Healey | 0–5 | | | |
| 1966 | William Healey | 2–3 | | | |
| 1967 | William Healey | 6–1 | | | |
| 1968 | William Healey | 8–1 | | | |
| William Healey: | William Healey: | 22–18 | | | |
| Dave Bucher (Independent) (1969–1979) ||||||
| 1969 | Dave Bucher | 8–1 | | | |
| 1970 | Dave Bucher | 6–3–2 | | | |
| 1971 | Dave Bucher | 7–2–1 | | | |
| 1972 | Dave Bucher | 3–5–2 | | | |
| 1973 | Dave Bucher | 7–2–2 | | | NCAA Round of 16 |
| 1974 | Dave Bucher | 5–2–3 | | | |
| 1975 | Dave Bucher | 6–5 | | | |
| 1976 | Dave Bucher | 7–3–2 | | | |
| 1977 | Dave Bucher | 7–4 | | | |
| 1978 | Dave Bucher | 7–2–3 | | | |
| 1979 | Dave Bucher | 6–7–1 | | | |
| Dave Bucher: | Dave Bucher: | 69–36–16 | | | |
| John LeWang (Independent) (1980–1980) ||||||
| 1980 | John LeWang | 5–7–2 | | | |
| John LeWang: | John LeWang: | 5–7–2 | | | |
| Jerry Collins (Midwest Metro) (1981–1986) ||||||
| 1981 | Jerry Collins | 4–9–2 | 1–2 | 3rd | |
| 1982 | Jerry Collins | 7–9–1 | 3–1–1 | T–2nd | |
| 1983 | Jerry Collins | 8–7–2 | 4–1 | 2nd | |
| 1984 | Jerry Collins | 13–5–1 | 5–0 | 1st | |
| 1985 | Jerry Collins | 8–10–2 | 3–1 | 2nd | |
| 1986 | Jerry Collins | 6–12–1 | 1–3–1 | T–5th | |
| Jerry Collins: | Jerry Collins: | 45–52–9 | 17–7–2 | | |
| Willy Roy (Big Central) (1987–1989) ||||||
| 1987 | Willy Roy | 6–10–2 | 1–3 | 5th | |
| 1988 | Willy Roy | 7–10–1 | 0–6 | 7th | |
| 1989 | Willy Roy | 14–4–2 | 4–2 | 3rd | |
| Willy Roy (Mid-Con) (1990–1993) ||||||
| 1990 | Willy Roy | 13–5–2 | 6–1 | 1st | |
| 1991 | Willy Roy | 11–5–3 | 5–2–1 | 3rd | |
| 1992 | Willy Roy | 6–9–2 | 3–3–1 | 4th | |
| 1993 | Willy Roy | 11–6–2 | 4–2–2 | 4th | |
| Willy Roy (MCC) (1994–1996) ||||||
| 1994 | Willy Roy | 10–7–1 | 5–3–1 | 3rd | |
| 1995 | Willy Roy | 7–10–2 | 3–5 | 6th | |
| 1996 | Willy Roy | 8–9–1 | 3–4–1 | 4th | |
| Willy Roy (MAC) (1997–2002) ||||||
| 1997 | Willy Roy | 10–9–1 | 2–4–1 | 6th | |
| 1998 | Willy Roy | 12–4–1 | 5–3 | 3rd | |
| 1999 | Willy Roy | 12–9 | 3–4 | T–5th | |
| 2000 | Willy Roy | 7–9 | 3–3 | 5th | |
| 2001 | Willy Roy | 4–12–1 | 1–5 | 7th | |
| 2002 | Willy Roy | 4–13–1 | 2–4 | 6th | |
| Willy Roy: | Willy Roy: | 142–131–22 | 50–54–7 | | |
| Steve Simmons (MAC) (2003–2008) ||||||
| 2003 | Steve Simmons | 3–12–2 | 2–4 | 5th | |
| 2004 | Steve Simmons | 12–7 | 4–2 | T–2nd | |
| 2005 | Steve Simmons | 11–6–2 | 4–2 | 2nd | |
| 2006 | Steve Simmons | 15–6–1 | 4–1 | 1st | NCAA Round of 32 |
| 2007 | Steve Simmons | 7–9–4 | 1–3–1 | 5th | |
| 2008 | Steve Simmons | 11–6–4 | 4–1–1 | 2nd | |
| Steve Simmons: | Steve Simmons: | 59–47–13 | 19–13–2 | | |
| Eric Luzzi (MAC) (2009–2016) ||||||
| 2009 | Eric Luzzi | 10–8–1 | 3–3 | 4th | |
| 2010 | Eric Luzzi | 9–6–2 | 2–4 | 5th | |
| 2011 | Eric Luzzi | 15–6 | 4–1 | 2nd | NCAA Round of 32 |
| 2012 | Eric Luzzi | 7–10–3 | 4–2–1 | T–2nd | |
| 2013 | Eric Luzzi | 4–13–1 | 0–5–1 | 7th | |
| 2014 | Eric Luzzi | 3–9–5 | 0–4–1 | 6th | |
| 2015 | Eric Luzzi | 7–7–1 | 1–3–1 | 5th | |
| 2016 | Eric Luzzi | 2–10–4 | 1–3–1 | 5th | |
| Eric Luzzi: | Eric Luzzi: | 57–69–17 | 15–25–5 | | |
| Ryan Swan (MAC) (2017–2022) ||||||
| 2017 | Ryan Swan | 3–11-1 | 0-4-1 | 6th | |
| 2018 | Ryan Swan | 8–9-1 | 1-4-0 | 6th | |
| 2019 | Ryan Swan | 7–10-1 | 2-3-0 | T-4th | |
| 2020-21 | Ryan Swan | 5–8-1 | 4-6-0 | 5th | |
| 2021 | Ryan Swan | 15–3-2 | 4-0-2 | 1st | NCAA Round of 32 |
| 2022 | Ryan Swan | 5–8-4 | 2-5-1 | 4th | |
| Ryan Swan (MVC) (2023–present) ||||||
| 2023 | Ryan Swan | 7-9-1 | 3-4-1 | T-5th | |
| 2024 | Ryan Swan | 3-12-1 | 1-6-1 | 9th (Last) | |
| Ryan Swan: | Ryan Swan: | 53–70–12 | 17–32–6 | | |
| Total: | Total: | 452–435–91 | | | |
| National champion   Postseason invitational champion   Conference regular season champion   Conference regular season and conference tournament champion  Division regular season champion  Division regular season and conference tournament champion  Conference tournament champion ||||||
* Source: NIU Men's Soccer Record Book

## NCAA tournament

The Huskies have appeared in four NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 3–4.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result | NIU Head Coach |
| 1973 | Round of 16 | SIU Edwardsville | L 3–0 | Dave Bucher |
| 2006 | First round Second Round | Loyola Chicago (7) Indiana | W 1–0 (OT) L 1–0 | Steve Simmons |
| 2011 | First round Second Round | Western Illinois (2) Creighton | W 3–0 L 3–0 | Eric Luzzi |
| 2021 | First round Second Round | Oaklnd Pittsburgh(5) | W 2–1 L 5–2 | Ryan Swan |

## Lewang Cup

Since 1981, the winner of the annual match between NIU and UW-Milwaukee claims the John Lewang Memorial Cup. The trophy is named in honor of former NIU coach John Lewang, who was killed in a car accident prior to the 1981 season. Lewang came to NIU as head coach in 1980 following his time as an assistant at UW-Milwaukee and died in a car accident after his first season leading the Huskies.

### Match results

| NIU victories | Milwaukee victories |
| No. | Date | Location | Winner | Score |
| 1 | 1981 | DeKalb, IL | Milwaukee | 3–1 |
| 2 | 1982 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 4–3 |
| 3 | 1983 | DeKalb, IL | NIU | 3–2 |
| 4 | 1984 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 4–2 |
| 5 | 1985 | DeKalb, IL | NIU | 3–1 |
| 6 | 1986 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 4–1 |
| 7 | 1987 | DeKalb, IL | NIU | 1–0 |
| 8 | 1988 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 2–1 |
| 9 | 1989 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 2–1 |
| 10 | 1990 | DeKalb, IL | Tie | 2–2 |
| 11 | 1991 | Milwaukee, WI | NIU | 5–1 |
| 12 | 1992 | DeKalb, IL | Milwaukee | 3–0 |
| 13 | 1993 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 3–1 |
| 14 | 1994 | DeKalb, IL | NIU | 3–2 |
| 15 | 1995 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 2–1 |
| 16 | 1996 | DeKalb, IL | Milwaukee | 1–0 |
| 17 | 1997 | Milwaukee, WI | NIU | 3–2 |
| 18 | 1998 | DeKalb, IL | NIU | 2–0 |
| 19 | 1999 | Milwaukee, WI | NIU | 3–1 |
| 20 | 2000 | DeKalb, IL | Milwaukee | 4–2 |
| 21 | 2001 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 3–0 |
| 22 | 2002 | DeKalb, IL | Milwaukee | 1–0 |
| No. | Date | Location | Winner | Score |
| 23 | 2003 | Madison, WI | Milwaukee | 2–0 |
| 24 | 2004 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 1–0 |
| 25 | 2005 | DeKalb, IL | Milwaukee | 1–0 |
| 26 | 2006 | Milwaukee, WI | NIU | 1–0 |
| 27 | 2007 | DeKalb, IL | NIU | 1–0 |
| 28 | 2008 | Milwaukee, WI | Tie | 2–2 |
| 29 | 2009 | DeKalb, IL | NIU | 5–1 |
| 30 | 2010 | Milwaukee, WI | NIU | 5–1 |
| 31 | 2011 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 1–0 |
| 32 | 2012 | Evanston, IL | Milwaukee | 1–0 |
| 33 | 2013 | DeKalb, IL | Milwaukee | 1–0 |
| 34 | 2014 | Milwaukee, WI | Tie | 2–2 |
| 35 | 2015 | DeKalb, IL | Milwaukee | 2–1 |
| 36 | 2016 | Milwaukee, WI | NIU | 2–1 |
| 37 | 2017 | DeKalb, IL | Milwaukee | 1–0 |
| 38 | 2018 | Milwaukee, WI | NIU | 2–1 |
| 39 | 2019 | DeKalb, IL | NIU | 1–0 |
| 40 | 2021 | Milwaukee, WI | NIU | 4–0 |
| 41 | 2022 | DeKalb, IL | NIU | 3–2 |
| 42 | 2023 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 3–2 |
| 43 | 2024 | DeKalb, IL | Milwaukee | 2–0 |
| Series: Milwaukee leads 23–17–3 |||||

## Honours

* Mid-American Conference tournament:
** Winners (3): 2006, 2011, 2021
** Runners-up (3): 1999, 2008, 2012
* Mid-American Conference regular season:
** Winners (2): 2006, 2021
** Runners-up (5): 2004, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2012
* Mid-Continent Conference regular season:
** Winners (1): 1990
* Big Central Soccer Conference tournament:
** Winners (1): 1989
* Midwest Metropolitan Conference regular season:
** Winners (1): 1984
** Runners-up (3): 1982, 1983, 1985

## Honors
### All-Americans

NIU men's soccer has had seven players named to All-America teams, including two NCAA First-Team All-Americans.
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
| 1970 | Allan Zelechowski | Sweeper | Honorable Mention |
| 1971 | Edward Kositzki | Forward | Honorable Mention |
| 1974 | Peter Mannos | Goalkeeper | First-Team |
| 1975 | Peter Mannos | Goalkeeper | First-Team |
| 1975 | Paul Wenson | Midfielder | Second-Team |
| 1976 | Mike Strahler | Defender | Honorable Mention |
| 1984 | Johan Bergseth | Forward | Third-Team |

### Academic All-Americans

NIU men's soccer has had a combined 13 players named to CoSIDA and NSCAA Academic All-America teams, including four First-Team Academic All-Americans.
| Year | Player | Position | Organization | Team |
| 1989 | Markus Roy | Goalkeeper | NSCAA | Honorable Mention |
| 1990 | Markus Roy | Goalkeeper | NSCAA | First-Team |
| 1991 | Markus Roy | Goalkeeper | NSCAA | First-Team |
| 1996 | Sigurd Slaastad | Midfielder | CoSIDA | Second-Team |
| 1997 | Sigurd Slaastad | Midfielder | CoSIDA | Second-Team |
| 1998 | Jeff Stojak | Midfielder | CoSIDA | Second-Team |
| 1999 | Jeff Stojak | Midfielder | CoSIDA | First-Team |
| 2000 | Peter Agrimson | Defender | NSCAA | Second-Team |
| 2002 | Peter Agrimson | Defender | NSCAA | Second-Team |
| 2003 | Andy Champion | Defender | CoSIDA | Second-Team |
| 2008 | Kyle Knotek | Midfielder | CoSIDA | Second-Team |
| 2010 | Kyle Knotek | Midfielder | CoSIDA | First-Team |
| 2014 | Dusty Page | Defender | CoSIDA | Second-Team |

### Freshman All-Americans

NIU men's soccer has had two players named to College Soccer News All-Freshman teams.
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
| 2004 | Curt Zastrow | Forward | Second-Team |
| 2008 | Brad Horton | Midfielder | Second-Team |

### Coaches of the Year

NIU men's soccer has had three head coaches named Coach of the Year by the conference.
| Year | Head Coach | Conference |
| 1990 | Willy Roy | Mid-Continent |
| 2004 | Steve Simmons | MAC |
| 2006 | Steve Simmons | MAC |