Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
DePaul
Northwestern Tops DePaul 2-1 in Season Opener
8/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 25, 2006
Box Score
CHICAGO -- Behind goals by juniors Shannon Schneeman (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) and Kelsey Hans (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville) and a defense that surrendered only five shots, the Northwestern Wildcats defeated DePaul 2-1 in their season opener at DePaul's Wish Field.
The Wildcats outshot the Blue Demons 20-5 and took 16 corner kicks to none for DePaul. The 'Cats controlled the play for most of the first half, taking six shots and forcing five saves. Schneeman, who handled the corner kicking duties for the Wildcats, took nine of her 16 corner kicks in the first frame. Despite Northwestern's strong offensive attacks the first half ended scoreless.
The 'Cats got on the board in the second half on a goal by Schneeman in the 69th minute. Schneeman took a crossing pass from sophomore Jeanette Lorme (Santa Clarita, Calif./Saugus) 20 yards from the goal. Schneeman dribbled around her defender and scored on a shot from 15 yards out to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. It was Schneeman's first goal since 2004. She sat out 2005 due to injury. Northwestern would get on the board again in the 72nd minute when Hans took a pass from senior Tori Bohannon (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) and put the ball into the top of the net, just over the outstretched hands of DePaul's netminder to make the lead 2-0.
DePaul made the score 2-1 on a goal in the 83rd minute, but the Wildcat defense clamped down for the remainder of the game and Northwestern opened its season with a 2-1 victory.
Junior Lauren Johnston (Denver, Colo./Denver East) started in goal for the 'Cats and made 3 saves. Freshman Alicia Herczeg (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura) had a strong game in her first as a Wildcat, she had three shots on goal.
"I am very proud of our team tonight. They did everything we asked them to and they competed, they played and they believed," said head coach Stephanie Erickson. Our defense is inexperienced when it comes to playing together, but they got better as the game went on. Games and experience will be great for that group."
The 'Cats return to action at 11 a.m. on Sunday for their home opener against Kentucky. It will be the first of nine straight games in Evanston.
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of Schneeman's goal to give the 'Cats a 1-0 lead.
of Hans' goal in the 72nd minute.
interview with Coach Erickson.
of Schneeman talking about the 'Cats' 16 corner kicks.
