Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Continue NCAA Tournament Run at Notre Dame Tuesday
11/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 24, 2008
NU NCAA Tournament Notes vs. Notre Dame
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern's NCAA tournament run continues Tuesday as it travels to 12th-seeded Notre Dame. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Central time at Alumni Field. The Wildcats have competed in at least the second round in all four of their all-time NCAA tournament appearances.
Free live streaming video and Gametracker will be available for the contest and can be accessed via NUsports.com.
The winner of the match advances to face the winner of the contest between fifth-seeded Akron and Ohio State either Saturday or Sunday at a site to be determined.
Series History
Notre Dame leads the all-time series with Northwestern 10-1-1. The Wildcats' lone win in the series came in the 1985 season by a 1-0 score. The teams have not met since Oct. 3, 2000 when the Fighting Irish earned a 2-1 home win.
Looking Back on Loyola
Regulation time and two overtime periods didn't settle anything, but Northwestern topped Loyola Chicago 4-1 in penalty kicks in a first-round NCAA tournament match at Lakeside Field Friday evening. After the Ramblers out-shot the Wildcats 6-3 in the opening half, NU held a 9-2 advantage in shots the rest of the way. Jack Hillgard converted on the first PK for the 'Cats before Misha Rosenthal saved Loyola's first try. After Matt Eliason made his attempt, the Ramblers' next try hit the post. Both teams made their shot in the third round before Brian Usinger sealed the win for the hosts.
NCAA Tournament History
All four of Northwestern's all-time NCAA appearances have come in the last five seasons. The Wildcats sport a 4-3-1 record in NCAA play, including three wins in 2006 en route to advancing to the quarterfinal round. A year ago, NU was the No. 9 overall seed and earned a first-round bye before falling to UIC 2-0 at Lakeside Field.
Rosenthal Named National Player of the Week
Northwestern junior goalkeeper Misha Rosenthal has been named the National Player of the Week by College Soccer News following his performance in the team's match against Loyola Chicago on Friday. He came up with a pair of big saves in the match and then came up even bigger in the shootout following 110 minutes of scoreless action. After the Wildcats converted on their first penalty kick attempt, Rosenthal made a diving save. Following NU making its second try, Rosenthal forced the next Rambler player to hit the post en route to the Wildcats' eventual 4-1 victory to advance them to the second round. He has a school single-season record 12 shutouts to his credit this season and is Northwestern's career leader with 22.
