By Amit Mallik

EVANSTON, Ill. -- No. 20 Northwestern clinched a share of the Big Ten Championship for the first time in program history with a golden goal to defeat Illinois, 1-0, Wednesday night at Martin Stadium.
 
Sophomore Kayla Sharples scored the game winner for the 'Cats on a wild play after a corner kick in the 98th minute.
 
The Wildcats moved to 14-1-3 overall and tied the program-record for most regular season wins, set in 1998 by head coach Marcia McDermott.
 
Junior Lauren Clem secured her program-best 36th career shutout, and combined with the defense to extend the NU single-season record for shutouts to 14.
 
Chicago's Big Ten Team started the match well on a rainy, cold and windy night at Martin Stadium. Fifth year senior Nandi Mehta's low drive missed the far post in the fourth minute and Lauren Clem made a tough save from distance in the 27th minute.
 
Northwestern slowly amplified the pressure against Illinois and senior Rachel Zampa's close range shot in the 33rd minute narrowly squeaked wide. Junior Kassidy Gorman fizzed a dangerous cross behind the Illini backline, but nobody could get a head on it.
 
Gorman continued to threaten the visitors' goal in the second half and came close to scoring twice. Illinois goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham saved an eight-yard shot from Gorman in the 48th minute, and forced a point-blank shot from Gorman over the bar in the 67th minute.
 
The Wildcats tightened their stranglehold on the game in search of a winner, as Kim Jerantowski latched onto a breakaway and curled her effort just past the far post in the 80th minute. Cunningham saved a near-post drive from sophomore Marisa Viggiano in the 88th minute in the last chance of regulation.
 
Northwestern would not be denied in overtime and imposed its will on rivals Illinois. Kassidy Gorman slammed a ball home off of a cross, but was marked offside in the 95th minute.
 
On a corner kick in the 98th minute, Marisa Viggiano swung in a cross that fell to Kayla Sharples, and in a moment of chaos, the center back willed the ball into the back of the net. Her second goal of the season delivered Northwestern its first-ever Big Ten Championship.
 
The Wildcats are back in action on Sunday in the Big Ten Tournament when they host a quarterfinal against Nebraska at Martin Stadium at 3 p.m. Download the full bracket here.
 

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