Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Indiana
Wildcats Edge Indiana in OT, 1-0
10/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 15, 2004
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EVANSTON, Ill. - Friday's women's soccer game between Northwestern and Indiana figured to be a battle, with both teams fighting for position in the Big Ten standings as well as the Great Lakes Region rankings (IU entered the match ranked sixth in the region, while NU was ninth).
After a rather tame first half, it met expectations.
In a match that went back-and-forth and featured plenty of late drama, NU senior Ashleigh Garmon put an exclamation point on the day with a goal 7:21 into the first overtime period, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 victory.
The news just kept getting better as the evening progressed; Wisconsin's 1-0 victory over Michigan State Friday night clinched the Wildcats' berth into the eight-team Big Ten Tournament, which will take place Nov. 4-7 in Columbus, Ohio. It will be Northwestern's first time in the postseason event since 2001.
Northwestern (8-6-1, 4-4-0 Big Ten) improved to 7-1-1 on its home field this season, including a perfect 4-0 conference mark. In the last two years the 'Cats are 12-3-2 at the Thomas Athletic Complex.
"Any win in the Big Ten is a good win, but this one in particular was a great one for us," said NU head coach Jenny Haigh afterward. "We played a great game, and so did they. To have a game like this go our way makes me very happy."
The teams combined for just four shots in the first stanza, but things picked up in the second half. Northwestern pressured the IU goal for the middle part of the half, and had a few great chances that were turned aside either by Hoosier goalie Lauren Fabbro or an Indiana defender (Tabitha Lowey, in particular, had not one but two straight chances from in close that were thwarted by a Hoosier defender's foot).
Indiana (8-5-1, 3-4-1 Big Ten) withstood the NU chances, though, and as time wore on they took control. With mere minutes remaining, NU goalkeeper Whitney Jones was called on to make two superb saves to keep things knotted at 0-0.
In the OT, Indiana got a great chance early, but the 18-yard shot was right at Jones. A few minutes later, Northwestern got a corner kick -- just its second of the match -- and Garmon scored when Katie Wright's attempt toward goal (from Kelly Sitkowski's corner) popped onto her foot as she stood in front. Garmon turned and pushed the ball just past Fabbro's left side with a host of Hoosier defenders around her.
It was Garmon's fourth goal of the season, and her first match-winner.
"I was smiling from ear to ear when I saw that ball go in," said Haigh.
"I think we have become seasoned in overtime games this year," she continued, noting that the 'Cats have now played seven such matches this season (with only one of them ending in a tie). "The players felt fresh and ready to go, and that was a good intangible for us."
Jones finished the day with four saves, while Fabbro had four stops and was aided by the two team saves.
Northwestern is back in action Sunday, hosting Purdue at 1 p.m. on the LBT. The 'Cats will conclude the Big Ten season at home next Friday, taking on Illinois at 3 p.m.
MATCH SUMMARY
Score by Half
Indiana (8-5-1, 3-4-1) 0 0 0 - 0
Northwestern (8-6-1, 4-4-0) 0 0 1 - 1
Goal Summary
NU - Ashleigh Garmon (Katie Wright, Kelly Sitkowski), 97:21
Shots: NU 12, Indiana 12
Corner Kicks: Indiana 5, NU 2
Fouls: Indiana 17, NU 16
GK Saves: NU - Whitney Jones 4; IU -- Lauren Fabbro 4, team 2
