Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Welcome Saint Louis To Lakeside Field Sunday
9/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 19, 2008
Northwestern Women's Soccer Game Notes 
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After a week break, Northwestern returns to action at 2:30 p.m. Sunday by hosting Saint Louis at Lakeside Field. The 'Cats, who sit at 5-2 on the year and are coming off a 2-0 weekend, are receiving votes in the NSCAA poll for the first time since 1999 and sit at a program-high No. 4 in the Great Lakes Region.
'Cats On The Web
Gametracker will be available for NU's match against Saint Louis on Sunday.
Last Time Out
Sam Greene tallied her first two goals of the year and Alicia Herczeg chipped in one as the Wildcats topped Loyola (Chicago) under rainy skies Friday at Loyola Soccer Park, 3-1.
Greene put the 'Cats on the board with an unassisted goal, finding herself all alone for a shot just past midfield. Greene launched a shot that deflected off the Loyola goalie and into the net for Greene's first goal. After Herczeg knocked in a rebound at 13:22, Greene struck again on a breakaway off a pass from Jenny Dunn.
Sunday, the 'Cats roared back from a two-goal deficit for the second time in three games on the strength of a hat trick by senior Amanda Hoffman, defeating DePaul, 3-2. Hoffman scored all three goals in the second half and has now scored five times on six shots-on-goal. Hoffman's feat marked the first time since 2004 that a Wildcat scored three goals in a game.
Scouting Saint Louis
Saint Louis enters the weekend with a 3-1-2 record with wins over Seton Hall, Army and Nebraska. The Billikens and the `Cats share a common win as the Wildcats topped Nebraska in their season opener. Saint Louis has scored seven goals as the team and Molly Hartmann leads the squad with two. Her four points also pace the Billikens. Hannah Perry has started all six games in goal and has a 0.78 GAA. The Billikens have only given up five goals as a team.
Series Information
Sunday marks the first meeting between the two teams. The Wildcats have only played one other member of the Atlantic 10 and own a 1-0 record over George Washington. Saint Louis is 5-7-1 against Big Ten opponents.
In The Rankings
For the first time since 1999, the Wildcats are receiving votes in the NSCAA Coaches Poll. The `Cats are one of six Big Ten teams to either be ranked or receiving votes. NU is also ranked No. 4 in the Great Lakes region in the latest NSCAA rankings. NU has not been that high in the region since the NSCAA has kept track dating back to 2000.
Hoffman Wearing A New Hat
Senior Amanda Hoffman entered the season with zero goals and only one assist through three seasons on the Wildcats. She has turned into a major offensive contributor in her senior season and leads the Wildcats in both goals (5) and points (10). Hoffman, who has started all seven games, led the Wildcats back from a 2-0 deficit with a three-goal hat trick Sunday against DePaul. The hat trick marked the first for the `Cats since 2004. Hoffman has been economical with her opportunities as well, recording five goals on six shots on goal.
Lending A Helping Hand
Northwestern has registered 19 assists on 16 total goals this season. All three of Amanda Hoffman's goals came from close range and had two assists each. Sam Greene and Jenny Dunn each have four assists and Alicia Herczeg has three. Herczeg assisted on two of Hoffman's goals on Sunday. Six other Wildcats have recorded helpers this season.
Only One Is No Fun
In Northwestern's two wins last weekend, two Wildcats enjoyed multi-goal games. Sam Greene tallied two goals on Friday against Loyola (Chicago) and Amanda Hoffman scored three on Sunday against DePaul. Alicia Herczeg enjoyed a multi-assist game with two on Sunday.
Goals From the Back Line
Senior defender Laura Janowitsch has used her senior season to break into the goal-scoring column. Janowitsch scored a goal from a free kick near midfield in NU's season-opening win over Nebraska for her first-career goal. The defender scored the game-winner for the Wildcats in their 3-2 overtime win over Pepperdine.
Distributing the Wealth
Through seven games this season, 12 Wildcats have notched points on 16 total goals. Senior Amanda Hoffman leads the way with 10 points (5g, 0a). Jenny Dunn (2g, 4a) and Sam Greene (2g, 4a) are right behind her with eight points each. Laura Janowitsch (2g, 1a), Emily Langston (2g, 1a), and Alicia Herczeg (1g, 3a) each have five points.
Off to a Great Start
Senior Jenny Dunn's game-tying goal against Pepperdine the 15th goal of her career. After the graduation of Kelsey Hans and Shannon Schneeman, who sit at first and third on NU's all-time career goals list, respectively, Dunn is the `Cats' active leader in goals. Dunn is one goal from cracking NU's top-10. With 44 career points, Dunn sits eighth on NU's all-time points list.
Second-Half Firepower
Ten of NU's 16 goals have been scored after halftime. In the season-opener against Nebraska, the Wildcats put up four goals in route to a 4-3 win at Lakeside Field. NU's lone goal in a 1-0 win over Illinois State in the Lakeside Invitational came early in the second half while all three of NU's goals in a 3-2 overtime win over Pepperdine came after the break. NU registered one second-half goal against Loyola and Amanda Hoffman's hat trick against DePaul featured three second-half goals.
First-Timers
Out of NU's four second-half goals against Nebraska, three were Wildcats' first-career goals. Senior defensive mainstay Laura Janowitsch and senior midfielder Amanda Hoffman both recorded their first-career goals in the win. Wildcat freshman Emily Langston notched her first goal in her first game.
For Northwestern's complete set of game notes, click the .pdf link above.
