Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Faces Season's Longest Road Trip
8/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 26, 2010
Northwestern (1-0) vs. Cincinnati (2-0)
Friday, Aug. 27 • 4 p.m.
McClimon Soccer Complex // Madison, Wis.
Northwestern vs. No. 3 UCLA
Sunday, Aug. 29 • 11 a.m.
McClimon Soccer Complex // Madison, Wis.
Northwestern at No. 19 BYU
Tuesday, Aug. 31 • 8 p.m.
South Stadium // Provo, Utah
Gametracker: NUsports.com (All three matches)
In-game Twitter updates: @NU_SportsLIVE (Cincinnati/UCLA only)
Northwestern Game Notes (PDF)
The Wildcats embark on their longest road trip of the season this weekend, a stretch of three games in five days that will see the 'Cats face two nationally-ranked opponents and travel west of the Central time zone for the only time in 2010. NU will participate in the Wisconsin tournament, facing Cincinnati on Friday and No. 3 UCLA Sunday, then head directly to Utah to prepare for No. 19 BYU on Aug. 31. GameTracker will be available for all three matches on NUSports.com.
Two in Her Debut
Freshman forward Kate Allen announced her arrival on Northwestern's campus with a bang last weekend, scoring both goals in the Wildcats' 2-1 double-overtime win over Chicagoland rival DePaul. Allen became the first player in NU history to score twice in her first game, and was rewarded for her effort with numerous honors, including Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, Big Ten Freshman of the Week and being named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week. Allen's first collegiate goal came in the 77th minute of the match off an assist from fellow freshman Bo Podkopacz. Her second goal, unassisted in the 105th minute, handed Northwestern the victory.
Scouting the Opponents
A second straight BIG EAST conference opponent for Northwestern, Cincinnati brings a 2-0 record into Friday's match. Emily Hebbeler, the team's leading scorer in 2009, has already recorded a pair of goals this year, while goalkeeper Rachel Barnette brings a 0.94 GAA to Madison. Cincinnati was 8-10-1 last year.
UCLA opened its season by crushing Cal Poly, 7-0, last weekend. Sydney Leroux scored four goals in the win, the second time in her career that the Hermann Trophy Watch List member has accomplished the feat. Junior goalkeeper Chante' Sandiford returns for her second season as a starter for the Bruins after allowing just 15 goals and posting nine shutouts in 2009.
BYU returns eight starters from a squad that went 18-4-2 and won the 2009 Mountain West championship. The Cougars feature three all-MWC first-team selections, including freshman of the year Carlee Payne.
Series Information
Northwestern has won both of its previous meetings with Cincinnati, although the two sides have not met since 1998. Sunday will mark the first-ever meeting between the 'Cats and UCLA. NU has faced Brigham Young five times, with Northwestern still looking for its first win in the series. The two sides met last season in Evanston, with the Cougars' Carlee Payne scoring a pair of goals to hand the visitors a 2-1 win.
There's No Place Like Home
The Wildcats return home to Lakeside Field on Sept. 3 to open a five-match home stand. In fact, after the current road trip comes to an end, NU will play eight of its next ten matches at home. A pair of Big XII conference opponents come calling in Evanston next weekend, with Northwestern hosting Kansas on Sept. 3 and Missouri Sept. 5. Admission and parking are free for all NU women's soccer home games!
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