Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Takes Final Road Trip
4/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 11, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Top-ranked Northwestern (20-1, 7-0) returns to action on the road this weekend when it travels for a pair of Big Ten dual matches. The 'Cats head to Iowa City to take on No. 47 Iowa at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, before heading north to Minneapolis to face No. 73 Minnesota at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 13.
The Wildcats have three regular season dual matches remaining before the start of the Big Ten Championship later this month. All three matches consist of conference-play, with the Wildcats aiming to go 10-0 for the fourth-consecutive year. Northwestern has not lost in 57 straight Big Ten matches, dating to 2004.
In their last dual match, the Wildcats defeated regional rival, Notre Dame, in a close 4-3 decision. With the win, the 'Cats extended their winning streak to 14, and are on pace for a record-setting season. Northwestern has held the nation's top-spot for an unprecedented seven-consecutive weeks.
Northwestern remains atop the Big Ten standings at 7-0 this season, and have continued to dominate in conference play. As a team, the 'Cats boast a 39-3 singles and 19-2 doubles record in Big Ten action this season.
Iowa (11-6, 2-4) lost in its last dual match, 6-1, against No. 16 Notre Dame. The Hawkeyes have lost four of their last five matches, and look for a crucial win this weekend with four Big Ten matches remaining on their schedule. Northwestern has dominated the all-time series against Iowa, 33-2.
Minnesota (11-8, 1-5) lost its last match, 5-2, at No. 60 Western Michigan. The Golden Gophers have lost five of their last six matches, and also have just four Big Ten matches remaining to gain ground in-conference leading up to the Big Ten Championship. Again, Northwestern has faired well in the all-time series with Minnesota, 28-5.
After this weekend, the Wildcats return to Evanston for their final dual match of the regular season. Northwestern will host No. 59 Michigan State at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, in a match slated to broadcast on the Big Ten Network. The match is tentatively scheduled to air at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 23 on the Big Ten Network. The Wildcats then travel to West Lafayette, Ind. in search of their record-setting 10th-consecutive Big Ten title, April 24-27.
