Thursday, September 8
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m.
Northwestern
6-0-0
1
vs
0
Illinois State
2-5-0
1
2
F
ILLINOIS STATE
0
0
0
NORTHWESTERN
1
0
1
Team Stats
ILS
NU
Goals
0
1
Shots
7
25
Shots on Goal
4
8
Saves
7
4
Corners
1
6
Fouls
10
7
Scoring Plays
SMITH, NIKIA (1)
Assisted By: SHARPLES, KAYLA
GOAL by NU SMITH, NIKIA (FIRST GOAL), Assist by SHARPLES, KAYLA, goal number 1 for season.
18:46
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerF/M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
D/M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
#B1GCats Secure Fifth Shutout of the Year with Win Over Illinois State
9/8/2016 9:20:00 PM | Women's Soccer
By Amit Mallik, Northwestern Athletic Communications
EVANSTON, Ill. – The No. 24 ranked Wildcats continued their impressive season-opening form with a dominant 1-0 win over the Illinois State Redbirds (2-5-0) to improve to 6-0-0 behind their fifth shutout of the year at Lanny & Sharon Martin Stadium.
Nikia Smith scored her first goal of the season, while Aspyn Repp made her first-career start and Lauren Clem extended her program record for career shutouts to 27.
Northwestern had the first shot of the game eight minutes in when Nandi Mehta fired a shot from 20 yards out wide right.
After 17 minutes of play, the 'Cats manufactured another chance when senior Kaitlin Moore fizzed a low cross into the box to Smith, but was pressured on the shot as it landed in the hands of ISU keeper Haley Smith. A minute later the Illinois State keeper collected another dangerous cross at the near post.
Northwestern broke the deadlock in the 18th minute after Smith finished off a wild series of events in the box to make it 1-0. Aspyn Repp was hauled down 40 yards out as Illinois State received a yellow card. The ensuing set piece was lofted into a goal-mouth scramble and the Redbirds could only clear the ball out to Repp, who squared a ball for Brenna Lovera. Lovera clattered a shot from distance off the left post and back in the chaos after the rebound, Kayla Sharples rolled the ball across the goal for Smith to send it home.
The Wildcats pressed higher up the pitch after their goal, but Indiana State had a dangerous counterattack that Clem sniffed out in the 21st minute. Three minutes later Lauren Koehl launched a powerful shot from distance that Clem handled with ease.
Five minutes into the second half, Kim Jerantowski tallied a shot from 10 yards out saved after Kourtney Scott cut a ball across the middle of the box. The 'Cats kept up the pressure in the next two minutes with two threatening crosses to the back post that just missed the target.
The game grew increasingly chippy as Illinois State's foul count reached eight with 25 minutes left to play. ISU sent in a low cross from the right hand side, but Clem defused the danger with a pickup.
The 'Cats came their closest to finding an insurance goal after a Rachel Zampa shot off of a corner kick scramble was cleared off the goal line by some desperate Redbird defending.
The visitors frantically ramped up the pressure as the clock ticked towards the 90th minute, but Northwestern prevented the Redbirds from another attempt on goal.
The 'Cats ended up comfortably securing the shutout and finished with a 25-7 shot advantage. Northwestern's goals against average stands at 0.165, the eighth best mark in the country.
The Wildcats will look to make it seven wins in a row to start the season when they host the Marquette Golden Eagles on Sunday, September 11, at 5 p.m.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!Women's Soccer - Northwestern Upends No. 4 TCU behind Roesch's Goal (9/4/25)
Friday, September 05
Women's Soccer - 'Cats Blank Butler behind Hennen's Goal (8/31/25)
Sunday, August 31
Women's Soccer - Wildcats Blank Loyola 2-0 in Season Opener (8/14/25)
Friday, August 15
BEST OF: Kennedy Roesch Rookie Reel
Thursday, August 14
