Heading into the final weekend of Mid-American Conference play, the women’s soccer team knows that they are headed to the postseason. Despite having clinched a playoff spot, a win over Western Michigan today and Northern Illinois on Sunday would give the Falcons several advantages heading into the postseason.

If the Falcons can get a win or a tie in either one of this weekends’ games, they will secure a home game for the MAC tournament. That would be the first time that has happened in the program’s history.

While Western Michigan and Northern Illinois are behind BG in the conference standings, Richards has said all season that every conference game has the potential to be a close game. Now, facing two statistically inferior teams, Richards said the Falcons cannot take the games lightly. Western Michigan in particular is fighting for a postseason spot.

“Neither game is going to be easy, they never are in the MAC,” Richards said. “With the pressure of going to postseason hanging over those programs’ heads, the games will be even more difficult.”

The two games will also present opportunities for the team to set new records. Freshman Samantha Meister has tied a school record with goals in four consecutive games. A goal today against Western Michigan will break the record which is also held by Kristy Coppes and Tracy Gleixner. Richards said that Meister is a true team player.

“I said something to Sam after the game on Sunday and I don’t think she even knew the record stood,” Richards said. “If she had a choice between us winning or her scoring the fifth goal, she’d take the win every time.”

The Falcons have already set a team record for MAC wins in a season (six), and Erika Flanders broke her own record for number of shutouts in a season with six.

The Falcons play Western Michigan today at 3 p.m. and play Northern Illinois at noon on Sunday.