Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Ready for Big Ten Tournament
10/31/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 31, 2006
NU Women's Soccer Big Ten Tournament Game Notes
Download Free Acrobat Reader
2006 Big Ten Tournament BracketDownload Free Acrobat Reader
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After a one-year absence from the postseason, the Wildcats are ready to begin play at the Big Ten Tournament, hosted by Penn State. The 'Cats (8-9-2, 4-5-1), the No. 8 seed, will face the top-seed and host Nittany Lions (12-3-3, 8-1-1) in the first round. Northwestern and 12th-ranked Penn State kick off Thursday at 3:30 p.m. CT.
Multimedia
Big Ten Women's Soccer Tournament Page
The Match
Northwestern returns to the Big Ten Tournament after missing the postseason in 2005. The Wildcats are the No. 8 seed and face No. 1 seed and host Penn State in the first round. Aubrey Aden-Buie leads Penn State in goals (9) and points (20). The Nittany Lions lead the Big Ten in goals with 34, four ahead of the third place Wildcats. The ninth-ranked Nittany Lions fell to No. 14 Navy in their final regular season contest, 1-0.
The Wildcats clinched a berth in the tournament with their last win coming over then-16th-ranked Indiana. The 'Cats return to State College two weeks after the only meeting between the two teams this season. NU took a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute on a goal by Alicia Herczeg, her third in Big Ten play, but Penn State came back for a 2-1 win behind goals by Allie Long and Denay Riley.
The winner of the first round contest will face the winner of Indiana/Michigan in the 4/5 match-up. Penn State captured its ninth-straight conference championship. The 'Cats fell in the first round to No. 18 Illinois their last trip to the postseason in 2004.
The History
Northwestern and Penn State have met only once in the Big Ten Tournament. The top-seeded Nittany Lions took the 2001 meeting in West Lafayette over the eighth-seeded Wildcats, 3-0.
A New Coaching Standard
The Wildcats won four games in Big Ten play under first-year head coach Stephanie Erickson. The total is tied for the third-highest in program history, but as NU's third head coach since the program's inception in 1994, Erickson has set the record for conference wins by a head coach in their first season.
Streak-Snapping Wildcats
When Northwestern shut out Indiana on Oct. 15, 1-0, they accomplished something that the Hoosiers' past 13 opponents could not, defeat Indiana. IU entered the weekend ranked No. 16 in the nation and carried a 13-game unbeaten streak into the contest. Kelsey Hans netted the game-winner in the 27th minute and Lauren Johnston stood on her head in goal as the 'Cats snapped the streak.
Nobody Puts the 'Cats in a Corner
Actually, all Wildcats' opponents have given them corner opportunities. Northwestern is first in the Big Ten in corner kicks (112) and corner kicks per game (5.89). The second-ranked team, Ohio State, trails the 'Cats by seven corners with 105. NU has out-cornered its opponents 112-64. Shannon Schneeman and Zendzi Neal have split duties on corner kicks.
For a complete set of Big Ten Tournament notes click the PDF link above.
