Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
SE Missouri State
Wildcats Down SEMO in Overtime, 1-0
9/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 12, 2004
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EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern women's soccer team has picked an excellent time to start playing defense -- check that, make it REALLY GOOD defense.
After outshooting winless Samford 19-3 in a 1-0 win Friday, the Wildcats figured to have a tougher go of it Sunday against a Southeast Missouri State team that was 3-1, with the lone loss a 2-0 decision to No. 14 Illinois. And, at first glance, they did -- it took nearly six minutes of overtime to decide the match, which was ended when NU senior Carolyn Hack pushed home a loose ball amid a corner-kick scramble in front of the goal.
In reality, though, this goal had been a long time in coming.
"I am glad that we got this win; this was a good one for us," said a relieved Jenny Haigh following the match. "I felt like we were deserving of a win today, and I was glad to see us turn the corner and win an overtime game after losing two already this season."
Northwestern outshot SEMO (3-2-0) 17-2, and for the second straight match Wildcat goalkeeper Whitney Jones was not called upon to make a save. The shutout was Northwestern's third in a row, the longest streak since the 'Cats shut out four straight opponents near the end of the 2001 season.
The 90 minutes of regulation saw few chances on both sides. For Northwestern (4-2-0), the dangerous Kelsey Hans nearly broke in alone during the first half but was denied by SEMO goalkeeper Amanda Wrzos, and soon afterward Tabitha Lowey rang a long left-footed shot off the crossbar.
In overtime, though, NU put on full pressure and it paid off. Hans got things started by breaking in behind the defense; however, she was caught from behind and could only get off a weak shot that was smothered by Wrzos. Mere seconds later, Ashleigh Garmon got behind the SEMO defense, but again was caught as her shot was deflected out of bounds by an Ohtakian field player.
That set up a corner kick, though, and after the ball pinged around a few players it landed on Hack's foot, and she buried it quickly past Wrzos' left.
"We told the players we would have an overtime game at some point again this season," said Haigh. "We told them to keep up the pressure and not get frustrated; we knew this was a great chance for us to get an overtime win, and we did."
Northwestern enters Big Ten play this weekend, traveling to Michigan for a Friday match and then Michigan State Sunday.
"We have been playing steady and simple in the back," said Haigh. "We were organized again today, and kept our heads about us when we needed to. We will need to stay that way against a pair of very good teams next weekend, especially since they are now conference games we are playing."
Haigh was also pleased by her bench Sunday.
"We had a few players get banged up a little bit during the game, but our bench came on and did a great job," she said. "It was good to see that."
MATCH SUMMARY
Score by Half
SE Missouri State (3-2-0) 0 0 0 - 0
Northwestern (4-2-0) 0 0 1 - 1
Goal Summary
NU - Carolyn Hack (unassisted), 95:16
Shots: NU 17, SEMO 2
Corner Kicks: NU 8, SEMO 0
Fouls: NU 16, SEMO 14
GK Saves: NU - Whitney Jones 0; SEMO - Amanda Wrzos 7, Team 1
