Northwestern University Athletics
NU Celebrates Senior Night Friday Against Rival Illinois
11/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 6, 2009
Women's Soccer Game Notes (11/5) 
The Match
Northwestern wraps up the 2009 season tonight as the 'Cats host in-state rival Illinois. It's also Senior Night at Lakeside Field, as NU bids farewell to its four members of the `09 senior class.
Scouting the Illini
Illinois enters Friday in a tie for eighth place in the Big Ten standings, two points behind Northwestern, and with an overall record of 7-8-3. The Illini recorded a 5-0 win over Michigan State last weekend, but also fell to Michigan, 1-0. Jordan Hilbrands leads the Illini in scoring with 13 points (six goals, one assist), and goalkeeper Alexandra Kapicka has a 1.40 GAA with three shutouts.
Series Information
Illinois holds a 8-2-3 advantage in the all-time series, but Northwestern claimed victory in the most recent chapter of the rivalry - a 1-0 win in Evanston last September. Stephanie Erickson is 1-1-1 against the Illini and unbeaten in the last two meetings.
Catching the 'Cats
Fans who can't make it to Lakeside Field tonight have several options to follow the action. Live streaming video of the match is available on NUSports.com All Access (requires a subscription). The official website of Northwestern Athletics also offers a free Game Tracker, and Twitter users can follow @NU_SportsLIVE to get the latest game information right on their computer or cell phone.
Last Time Out
Northwestern suffered a heartbreaking loss to Wisconsin Monday night at Lakeside Field. After falling behind early, Alicia Herczeg evened the match with a 24th minute goal assisted by Caroline Dagley. The 'Cats were unable to capitalize on several scoring opportunities in the second half and paid for it in the 90th minute when Wisconsin's Erin Jacobsen took advantage of a turnover and sent a blistering shot into the net for the game-winning goal.
Honoring the Seniors of 2009
Northwestern bids farewell to four seniors tonight, the first class to play exclusively under Stephanie Erickson at Northwestern. Here's a look back at the tremendous careers of the Class of 2009:
#1 - Alicia Herczeg
Alicia leads the Wildcats with six goals this season, including scoring the only goals in a 1-0 win over Indiana and converting a penalty kick to give the 'Cats a 1-0 win over Michigan State. In her career, Herczeg has scored 17 goals and seven game-winners, both totals that rank among Northwestern's all-time career leaders. Tonight, Herczeg make her 78th consecutive start for the 'Cats - a number that ranks second all-time in school history.
#17 - Jessica Palo
Palo has scored a pair of goals on just five shots this season and leads the team in shot-conversion percentage. She recorded the first game-winning goal of her career with an overtime score last month at Iowa. In her career, Palo has recorded four goals and an assist for the Wildcats, and also earned academic all-Big Ten honors.
#11 - Ali Rubnitz
Rubnitz has been a key member of the Northwestern defense for four years. This season she has started every game and is second on the team in minutes played. Over her career, Rubnitz has aided in 19 shutouts for the Wildcat defense, including five this season. She has also earned academic all-Big Ten honors two times.
#20 - Kay Sampson
Sampson has contributed both on defense and in the midfield in her four years at Northwestern. This year, she is second on the team in scoring with five points on two goals and an assist. Sampson scored in overtime to give Northwestern its first win of the season, against Loyola, and also assisted on the game-winning goal of a 2-1 win at Penn. For her career, Sampson has scored 12 points, with four goals and four assists, and has earned academic all-Big Ten honors twice.
