Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Continue Homestand Against Badgers Saturday
10/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 16, 2009
NU Game Notes vs. Wisconsin (PDF)
EVANSTON, Ill. -
No. 16 Northwestern looks to remain in contention for the top spot in the Big Ten standings Saturday as it hosts Wisconsin at Lakeside Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. At 1-0-1 in league play, the Wildcats (7-1-4 overall) are one of three conference unbeatens along with Penn State (2-0-1) and Indiana (2-0-0).
Gametracker and live stream video can be accessed via NUsports.com. WGN Radio personality Greg Jarrett will serve as the honorary captain for the match.
Scouting Wisconsin
The Badgers (3-6-2, 1-2-0 Big Ten) are coming off a 1-0 loss at in-state foe Green Bay on Wednesday. Wisconsin has been shut out in four of its last five matches with the lone exception being a 2-1 win over Michigan State last Sunday. Brandon Miller and Scott Lorenz pace UW with two goals apiece. Both of Lorenz's tallies came against the Spartans with the game-winner coming in double overtime.
Series Information
Wisconsin leads the all-time series with Northwestern 21-7-4, though the Wildcats have won the last three meetings. NU won last year's matchup 2-1 Oct. 12 in Madison behind two goals by Matt Eliason.
Going Streaking
Northwestern enters Saturday's contest with Wisconsin undefeated in its last 10 contests. Since dropping a 2-1 decision to DePaul Sept. 7, the Wildcats have gone 7-0-3. It is the second-longest unbeaten stretch in school history, trailing only last year's team which opened the season 11-0-2.
Wildcats Defeat Western Illinois, 3-2
Northwestern twice came back from one-goal deficits to defeat Western Illinois 3-2 Wednesday evening at Lakeside Field. The Leathernecks struck first at the 11:38 mark before Matt Eliason scored his 10th goal of the year to tie the match a little over five minutes later. The match appeared headed for a halftime tie before the visitors struck again in the final two minutes of the first period. The Wildcats got back to even five minutes and 41 seconds into the second stanza as NU earned a corner kick and Chris Ritter finished at the back post off Mark Blades' service. Northwestern managed to take its first lead of the match at the 71:34 mark and it held up the rest of the way as Eliason found Piero Bellizzi for the game-winner. Misha Rosenthal made three saves as the 'Cats out-shot WIU 20-7 and had a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.
Looking Ahead
Northwestern plays the third game of its four-game homestand Tuesday as it takes on local rival Loyola Chicago. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
