UK men’s soccer goes for first Mac win.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 1999) — The University of Kentuckymen’s soccer team takes aim on the Mid-AmericanConference Championship and an NCAATournament berth on Friday, when the Cats hostNorthern Illinois in a 7:30 p.m. showdown at theUK Soccer Complex.

The Wildcats (12-6-1) advanced to the title matchwith wins over Eastern Michigan and WesternMichigan, while the Huskies (12-8) topped BowlingGreen and Marshall to reach Friday’s match.

With a win, UK would claim its first-ever MACcrown and berth in the NCAA’s 32-teamtournament.

UK leads the all-time series between the twoschools 2-1, but NIU’s lone win came earlier in1999, a 4-2 upset of the Cats in DeKalb, Ill.

“This is going to be a game of ‘guts’,” UK CoachIan Collins said. “Our players will have to be ready for a tough, physicalmatch.”

“We’re very focused,” senior Jason Bell said. “I have no doubt that everyoneon the team will be ready to give 110%.”