Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Penn State
Wildcats Fall to No. 9 Penn State, 2-1
10/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 22, 2006
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Despite taking a 1-0 lead into halftime against No. 9 Penn State Sunday, the Wildcats fell to the ninth-ranked the Nittany Lions, 2-1. Freshman Alicia Herczeg (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura) scored the lone goal for the 'Cats in the 25th minute, but Penn State answered with two tallies in a ten-minute span to top the Wildcats.
Northwestern falls to 4-4-1 in the Big Ten, 8-8-2 overall while the Nittany Lions improve to 8-1-1 in the Big Ten, 12-3-3 overall. With the win Penn State clinched their ninth-straight Big Ten title. With Michigan State's loss on Friday the Wildcats clinched a spot in the eight-team Big Ten Tournament.
The 'Cats were playing without their leading scorer Kelsey Hans (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville) who suffered an injury Thursday against Loyola, but the freshman Herczeg put the Wildcats on the board first in the 25th minute on an unassisted goal. She had a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper and put the ball over her head and into the net. Senior Tori Bohannon (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) cleared the ball behind the Lions' defense and the keeper charged out of her net. Herczeg beat the goalie to the ball and her shot hit the post and went in for her third goal of the year.
Northwestern won the shot battle in the first half, 5-3, and junior net minder Lauren Johnston (Denver, Colo./Denver East) made two saves. Bohannon and sophomore Jenny Dunn (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Louisville) had opportunities to extend the lead, but the Wildcats took the 1-0 lead into halftime.
Northwestern held the Big Ten's top-scoring team scoreless until the 70th minute when Allie Long tied the score with her fifth goal of the season. Denay Riley netted the game-winner in the 79th minute and the Nittany Lions held on for the 2-1 victory.
"We played some of the best soccer we've played all year," head coach Stephanie Erickson said. "They are a very good team and fought hard to get back into the game. It feels great to be in the tournament, but we need to take care of business against Wisconsin and gain confidence heading into the Big Ten tournament."
Northwestern will be making it's first appearance in the Big Ten Tournament since 2004.
The Wildcats return to action Friday at Wisconsin for the last game of the regular season. The Big Ten Tournament, hosted by Penn State, begins Nov. 2.
