Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Ohio State
Wildcats Set for Two at Toyota Park, Starting vs. Ohio State Friday
9/10/2015 9:35:00 AM | Men's Soccer
| NORTHWESTERN MEN'S SOCCER: GAME DAY INFORMATION | ||||
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME | LOCATION | LIVE STATS |
| Friday, September 11 | Ohio State | 7 p.m. | Toyota Park (Bridgeview, Ill.) | GameTracker |
| Monday, September 14 | UCF | 7 p.m. | Toyota Park (Bridgeview, Ill.) | GameTracker |
| Social: Twitter (@NUMensSoccer and @NU_SportsLive) | Instagram (@NUSoccer) | Facebook | ||||
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern will play its first of seven games at Toyota Park and open Big Ten play this Friday when it hosts Ohio State at 7 p.m.
The Wildcats will continue the two-game homestand on Monday when they play a non-conference tilt against Central Florida. The 'Cats are still seeking their first win of the season after a pair of losses to Seattle and Gonzaga last weekend dropped them to 0-2-1.
Homes Away From Home
With construction ongoing at Lanny & Sharon Martin Stadium, the Wildcats will play their 'home' games at a pair of locations in 2015. Chicago's Big Ten Team opened the season at Loyola, will play a game at UIC and play the first of seven games at Toyota Park Friday.
All-Time Series: The Wildcats are 8-2-1 in the last 11 meetings against Ohio State, but trail the all-time series, 9-20-3 dating back to 1986. Chicago's Big Ten Team will be playing the Golden Knights of Central Florida for the first time in program history.
Just a "Hop," Skip & Jump Away
Junior Jeffrey Hopson found the back of the net for the first time this season, and just the second time in his career, in the Wildcats' season opener versus Colgate. The Chesterfield, Missouri native has started 29 consecutive games for the 'Cats.
Big Ten Play Is Here
Since 2007, no team has posted a better average finish than the Wildcats in Big Ten play. Including the back-to-back titles, the `Cats have finished in the top three in seven of eight seasons. The Wildcats were picked to finish sixth in the Big Ten in the preseason coaches' poll, while the Buckeyes were picked fifth.
Welcome Back
Northwestern returned 82 percent of its goal scoring (18-of-22) from last season, but has hard a time finding the back of the net early this season. The 'Cats have netted just one goal through the first three games, but know the scoring threat is there in senior tri-captain Joey Calistri. The forward is climbing towards the top of the NU record books, ranking fourth in program history in goals (27) and sixth in points (62). Matt Eliason (2007-10) is the career leader in both goals (33) and points (82).
Scouting the Buckeyes
Ohio State enters Big Ten play with a 1-3-0 mark having lost each of the last three games in shutout fashion. The Buckeyes opened the season with a 2-0 victory over Cal State Fullerton, but have failed to find the back of the net in the last three. Kyle Culbertson and Liam Doyle eached scored in the opener, while Danny Jensen and Kenny Cunningham each have one assist. Chris Froschauer has played 356:57 between the pipes, giving up five goals for a goals-against average of 1.26.
Scouting the Golden Knights: Central Florida suffered its second-straight loss on Thursday to fall to 1-2-0 on the year. After opening the season with a 5-0 win over FAU, they fell to Mercer, 2-0, and North Florida 2-1. Matias Pyysalo leads the team with 7 points (2g, 3a) while Hadji Barry also has 2 goals.
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