Northwestern University Athletics
Sunday, November 8
Piscataway, NJ
12 p.m.
Northwestern
7-9-2, 4-4-0B1G
0
at
2
Rutgers
12-5-1, 4-4-0B1G
1
2
F
Northwestern
0
0
0
Rutgers
1
1
2
Team Stats
NU
RU
Goals
0
2
Shots
12
18
Shots on Goal
6
6
Saves
4
6
Corners
4
3
Fouls
10
13
Scoring Plays
Taintor, Mitchell (4)
Assisted By: Lurie, Mitch
goalkeeper punches out free kick by 14 -
23:25
Taintor, Mitchell (5)
Assisted By: Tetro, Brandon , Wright, Jason
pass from 20 at right side to 6 slides
84:56
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
D/M
/ Men's Soccer
M/D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
M/D
/ Men's Soccer
Photo by: Stephen J. Carrera
Wildcats' Season Ends With 2-0 Loss at Rutgers
11/8/2015 2:41:00 PM | Men's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Northwestern men's soccer program saw its season come to an end Sunday with a 2-0 loss to No. 4-seed Rutgers in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
The No. 5-seed Wildcats end the season with a 7-9-2 record, finishing below .500 for the first time since 2002.
Chicago's Big Ten Team went 4-4-0 in Big Ten play to finish tied for third with Maryland and Rutgers, but was unable to find the back of the net Sunday to keep their season alive.
"We played pretty well today, generating some chances, but their keeper made some pretty good saves," head coach Tim Lenahan said. "I'm very proud of this group. There were a lot of challenges this year, most of which were out of our control, but we never stopped working and believing that we were going to reach our destination. With all the challenges, to play for a championship on the last night of the year is something this team will be remembered for."
Despite the 'Cats controlling the pace for the majority of the first half, the Scarlet Knights were able to take a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute. Mitch Lurie took a free kick from about 40 yards and senior Zak Allen was able to punch the ball out, but Mitchell Taintor was in the right place at the right time and took advantage of Allen being out of the net for the first goal of the game.
The 'Cats pushed to tie the game and had a chance in the 56th minute on a shot by Cole Missimo that was saved by David Grczek. Junior Mike Roberge, the team leader in goals with four, was there for the rebound, but his attempt went wide. Northwestern was unable to put another shot on goal the rest of the way and Taintor added his second goal of the contest on assists from Big Ten Player of the Year Jason Wright and Brandon Tetro to seal the win.
The loss ends the careers of seniors Allen, Layth Masri, Sagar Jambusaria, Joey Calistri, Henry Herrill, Cole Missimo, Mick Maley and Nati Schnitman. Calistri finishes his career as the the program's second-leading goal scorer with 30 career tallies.
"I can't thank all of our seniors enough for what they have done the last four years and in Layth Masri's case the last six years," Lenahan said. "It was a challenging year, but there is no doubt in my mind we will grow from this year."
The No. 5-seed Wildcats end the season with a 7-9-2 record, finishing below .500 for the first time since 2002.
Chicago's Big Ten Team went 4-4-0 in Big Ten play to finish tied for third with Maryland and Rutgers, but was unable to find the back of the net Sunday to keep their season alive.
"We played pretty well today, generating some chances, but their keeper made some pretty good saves," head coach Tim Lenahan said. "I'm very proud of this group. There were a lot of challenges this year, most of which were out of our control, but we never stopped working and believing that we were going to reach our destination. With all the challenges, to play for a championship on the last night of the year is something this team will be remembered for."
Despite the 'Cats controlling the pace for the majority of the first half, the Scarlet Knights were able to take a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute. Mitch Lurie took a free kick from about 40 yards and senior Zak Allen was able to punch the ball out, but Mitchell Taintor was in the right place at the right time and took advantage of Allen being out of the net for the first goal of the game.
The 'Cats pushed to tie the game and had a chance in the 56th minute on a shot by Cole Missimo that was saved by David Grczek. Junior Mike Roberge, the team leader in goals with four, was there for the rebound, but his attempt went wide. Northwestern was unable to put another shot on goal the rest of the way and Taintor added his second goal of the contest on assists from Big Ten Player of the Year Jason Wright and Brandon Tetro to seal the win.
The loss ends the careers of seniors Allen, Layth Masri, Sagar Jambusaria, Joey Calistri, Henry Herrill, Cole Missimo, Mick Maley and Nati Schnitman. Calistri finishes his career as the the program's second-leading goal scorer with 30 career tallies.
"I can't thank all of our seniors enough for what they have done the last four years and in Layth Masri's case the last six years," Lenahan said. "It was a challenging year, but there is no doubt in my mind we will grow from this year."
••••••
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