Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Focus on UW-Milwaukee This Weekend
10/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 24, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - The tears have long been shed and the disappointment has been played out. Northwestern's chance to earn a spot in the Big Ten Tournament came to a close last Sunday. And while the rest of the conference uses Friday to finish up regular-season Big Ten play, the Wildcats (4-8-3, 2-6-2 Big Ten) -- as the team without a travel partner this season -- begin to wind down their season with Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the first of three nonconference contests.
"The mood at practice has actually been great," said head coach Jenny Haigh. "We've put the Big Ten disappointment behind us, and we're focusing on finishing this season strong. We'd like to go out with three wins, which would get us near .500 for the season."
Tears might still be shed on Friday, of course. That's because it marks the last home game of the 2002 season, and with it the final chance for NU fans to say goodbye to the five departing Wildcat seniors: Janelle Harwood, Gina Napoli, Susie McCreery, Alana Stamas and Kelli Wilson.
"These seniors have put four years into this program," said Haigh. "We are definitely sad to see them go, but we are appreciative of what they have meant to this team and this program. Unfortunately we were pretty young overall this year, but I'd like to think that they will have played a role in any future success we have."
The Wildcats defeated the Panthers last year, 2-1, but UWM was an NCAA Tournament team a year ago. This year, the Panthers boast a 7-5-3 record, and Haigh knows her team will have its hands full with the Horizon League frontrunners.
"Milwaukee is a feisty, blue-collar team," she said. "They really come at you hard. We were able to get one from them last year at their place, but I expect Friday's game to be a real battle."
One thing working in Northwestern's favor, according to Haigh, is the fact that Friday's match represents the Wildcats' only contest this weekend.
"Normally we'll go on Friday and Sunday," she said. "So while obviously we're playing to get a result on Friday, tactically as a coach you sometimes have to make moves looking toward Sunday. You have to think about giving some players a rest here and there so they'll be able to go full on Sunday, as well. We won't have that concern Friday."
Following Friday's match, the Wildcats hit the road for their final two contests at Wyoming (Nov. 1) and Colorado College (Nov. 3).
