Northern Illinois University issued the following announcement on Nov. 21
Coming off a first round victory over Oakland, the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team will meet No. 5 seed Pittsburgh on Sunday, Nov. 21, in the NCAA Tournament Second Round in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kickoff against the Panthers is slated for 3 p.m. CT and will be streaming live on ACC Network Extra via WatchESPN.com.
"We are excited about the game," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "It is a quick turnaround from Thursday's game, but the guys are excited to get out there again. For the most part we are healthy, and we are ready for it."
NIU (15-2-2) tied the school record for wins with its 15th victory of the season on Thursday night against Oakland, equaling the 2006 and 2011 teams, which also both advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament. Diego Maynez (El Paso, Texas/Lone Star) became the first player in program history to score multiple goals in a NCAA Tournament game when he netted his brace against the Golden Grizzlies. Martin Sanchez (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) saved a 78th minute penalty in the win over Oakland.
"Oakland really pushed us right to the last minute of the game on Thursday," said Swan. "I think that is another reminder of just how intense things are in the tournament and how we have to be on for the entire time that we are on the field (Sunday)."
The Huskies are looking to advance to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1973, when they received an opening round bye in the 24-team tournament before falling to SIU Edwardsville, 3-0, in their first game. NIU is also seeking the program's first road win in the NCAA Tournament.
Nick Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) continues to lead the country in both goals, with 16, and points, with 37. He is tied with Belmont's A.J. Chastonay with a nation-leading seven game-winning goals. As a team, NIU has the fifth-best offense in the country, averaging 2.47 goals per game. The Huskies also rank 17th nationally with a team goals against average of 0.80.
Pittsburgh comes into Sunday's game with an 11-5-1 overall record, including a 9-1-0 mark at home this season. Rodrigo Almeida is the leading scorer for the Panthers with seven goals and 20 points. Pittsburgh is averaging 2.47 goals per contest, sixth best in the nation. Nico Campuzano has played all 17 matches in goal for Pittsburgh, posting a 1.13 goals against average and a .688 save percentage.
"It is going to be important how we are when we don't have the ball," said Swan. "In so many of our games we are used to having the ball for large chucks of the game and I think Pittsburgh will be different. They are a team that likes to get on the ball, they are a talented and technical team, so how we react out of possession and how we defend will be vitally important."
The winner of Sunday's second round game between NIU and Pittsburgh will advance to the Sweet 16 to face No. 12 seed Penn State or Hofstra next weekend, Saturday or Sunday, Nov. 27 or 28.
Original source can be found here.
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