Currently on a 3-game winning streak, the BG men’s soccer team will close out its regular season on Saturday with hopes of getting into the Mid-American Conference tournament.

A 12-5-1 record overall, 1-2-1 in the MAC, the Falcons are in need of a victory to continue their season.

However, with three straight overtime victories, the Falcons will have recent success to build upon as they face MAC opponent, Northern Illinois, with a spot in the MAC tournament on the line for BG.

This spot is what the Falcons have been trying for all season.

“This is the championship game; this is the real one that matters now,” said goalkeeper Nick Landsberger.

While not actually a game for a championship, this game will determine whether or not the Falcons will get the chance to continue their year into the postseason.

Thus, with so much on the line, BG is looking to continue their recent success while focusing on the lone task ahead of them.

“Momentum doesn’t exist from game-to-game for us, but we’re going to be focused,” Landsberger said.

Being focused has the team ready for a battle, knowing that they will have to work hard, said defender Jacob Roth.

BG played a similar game at the end of last season, facing the end of their season. The Falcons ultimately tied West Virginia and did not earn a spot into the conference tournament.

However, the scenario this season will be a bit easier.

Northern Illinois comes into the match with a 3-8-5 record overall without a MAC win. Two of its three wins have come on their home field but the Huskies have just one win in nearly two months.

However, playing on the road has not been an issue for the Falcons this season. BG has a 5-3 record on the road while a 6-2-1 record at Cochrane Field.

This balance will certainly help the Falcons as they face what head coach Eric Nichols described as a “do-or-die game.”

Again, understanding the idea of elimination and their season ending, the Falcons know they must put the rest of the season aside and get a result.

“It’s a tournament game. Win and move on, lose and we’re done,” Nichols said. “And, I like the way this team has responded to that.”

BG will look to respond in Dekalb, Illinois on Saturday, securing a win and keeping its season alive in what Jacob Roth describes as a “huge game.”

“We have to do what we have to do,” Landsberger said.