Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Back Home to Kick Off Big Ten Season
9/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 19, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - After two weeks on the road, the Northwestern women's soccer team is no doubt happy to be back home for the first Big Ten weekend of the 2002 season.
The Wildcats went 1-2-1 the last two weekends, knocking off the lone unranked team they faced during that span. At 2-2-1 overall, they know this weekend can go a long way toward setting the tone for the rest of the season -- especially in the conference.
The going will not be any easier this weekend. In fact, it may be tougher. Penn State, currently ranked 12th nationally and the four-time defending conference champion, visits Lakeside Field Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. On Sunday, the Wildcats host Ohio State at 1 p.m. in another Big Ten match.
Northwestern gave glimpses of getting on track last weekend, scoring four goals against Louisville, including a hat trick by sophomore Ashleigh Garmon (Oxnard, Calif./Buena). However, the 'Cats scored just once at No. 19 Kentucky two days later, and could not make the lead hold up in a 2-1 loss. Tabitha Lowey (Peachtree City, Ga./Mcintosh) and Julie Lipinski (Tinley Park, Ill./Marian Catholic) also scored last weekend, giving the freshman class four of NU's seven goals for the season. Garmon has the other three.
Penn State (3-1-1) invades Lakeside Field boasting senior Christie Welsh, last year's Hermann Award winner as National Player of the Year. Welsh leads the Nittany Lions in scoring again this season, with three goals and five assists for 11 points. Heidi Drummond is second on the team with nine points (4g, 1a), and edged out Garmon for Big Ten Player of the Week honors last week. Another All-America, Joanna Lohman, is third on the team with seven points (2g, 3a). Both Drummond and Lohman joined Welsh as first-team All-Big Ten selections a year ago.
Ohio State (2-4-0) entered the week as the only Big Ten team with a losing record, but has had a week off to prepare for Sunday's match, which could give them an advantage. The Buckeyes boast last year's Big Ten Rookie of the Year in Lisa Grubb, who leads them again in scoring through the early part of the season with eight points (3g, 2a). OSU also features Lindsay Eckles and Jen Miller, a pair of second-team All-Big Ten picks last season.
