Dagley Sparks 'Cats to 3-0 Win Over Loyola

9/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Sept. 14, 2011

Box Score

Site: Evanston, Ill.
Score: Northwestern 3, Loyola (Chicago) 0
Records: NU (1-6-0, 0-0-0 Big Ten), Loyola (3-4-1, 0-0-0 Horizon)
Next NU Event: Sunday, Sept. 18 -- at Nebraska (Lincoln, Neb.), 12 p.m. - Big Ten Network (tape delayed to 3 p.m. CT)

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Caroline Dagley (San Rafael, Calif./The Branson School) broke open a tie match in the 52nd minute and added an assist later in the second half Wednesday, sparking Northwestern to a 3-0 victory over Loyola (Chicago) at Lakeside Field. The win is the first of the season for NU.

"I don't think a win has ever felt this good," head coach Stephanie Foster said after the match. "We've faced lots of adversity and done lots of learning this year. It feels great to have that pay off with a positive result."

Despite dominating possession in the first half, Northwestern opened the second half in a scoreless tie but found the board quickly. After Nicole Jewell (Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road) sent a clear to the edge of the 18-yard box, Kate Allen (Whitehouse, Ohio/Anthony Wayne) headed a pass to Dagley, who drilled a rocket with her right foot into the upper right corner of the net. It was the senior's first goal of the season and second game-winning goal of her career.

"We've been working for this for six weeks," Dagley said. "I'm just excited for the team. We've hit hurdle after hurdle this season, but getting a win before conference play starts is good for our confidence. We know we're a good, competitive team and we showed that tonight."

Dagley added an assist in the 73rd minute when a Loyola defender deflected a corner kick to her on the end line. She centered the ball into the box where Jill Dunn (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) drove a header straight past a diving goalkeeper for her first goal of the season.

Allen added a tally eight minutes later off a feed from freshman Sami Schrakamp (Danville, Calif./Monte Vista). Allen beat her defender into the box then sent a shot right through Loyola goalkeeper Katie Groesch's legs. The goal is Allen's fourth in as many games for the 'Cats and extends her team scoring lead.

The Wildcat backline played a strong match, allowing the Ramblers just five shots on the night. Freshman goalkeeper Anna Cassell (Salt Lake City, Utah/Skyline)made two saves and earned her first collegiate clean sheet.

Northwestern will open Big Ten Conference play at Nebraska on Sunday, Sept. 18. The match begins at noon CT and will be televised by the Big Ten Network. Fans can watch the match live via BTN2GO online or on tape delay at 3 p.m. CT on television.

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