Northwestern Blows By Illinois at Martin Stadium

10/18/2018 10:25:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern triumphed over Illinois, 2-1, on Thursday night for a massive win at Martin Stadium.

Senior Brenna Lovera scored her team-high eighth goal of the season in the first half. Senior Marisa Viggiano assisted Lovera's goal and scored her first goal of the season on a free kick in the second half.

Northwestern defeated Illinois for the fourth time in five years and improved its record to 10-4-3 and 4-4-2 in conference, while dropping the Illini to 10-7 overall and 5-5 overall. After the penultimate matchday in the Big Ten, Northwestern sits in eighth place in the conference with 14 points. The top eight team teams in the conference qualify for the Big Ten Tournament.

First year Mackenzie Wood started in goal and made three saves in the win. Senior Nikia Smith started her second game in the row, while Viggiano returned to the starting lineup after a two-game absence.

Lovera scored the 19th goal of her career, tied for the sixth-most all time in program history with Ashleigh Garmon ('04), Katie Hertz ('01) and Dionna Latimer ('98). Her eight goals in a season are also tied for the sixth-best output in a season in program history with Brooke Bell and Christie Molitor, who did so in 1997 and 1996.

Viggiano assisted the 20th goal of her career, tying her for the second most assists in Wildcat history with Aileen Gulney who played from 2001 to 2003.

Senior center back Kayla Sharples started the 85th consecutive game of her career, the second longest-streak in program history. Sharples is four games short of Lauren Clem's record of 89 set in 2017.

The Wildcats struck first in the 12th minute on a spectacular goal from Lovera. Viggiano fed her senior counterpart 25 yards from goal on the left side, and Lovera turned inside and curled an unstoppable strike into the top right corner of the net to make it 1-0.

Viggaino forced two more saves out of Illinois keeper Jaelyn Cunningham in the half, but the score stayed 1-0 at halftime.

15 minutes into the second half, the Wildcats pressed their advantage. Senior Aspyn Repp unlocked the Illini defense with a through ball, and first year Kaylee Titus was in alone on goal. She was taken down from behind by Hope Breslin, and the Illinois midfielder was awarded a red card, reducing the visitors to 10 women.

On the ensuing free kick a yard back from the edge of the box, Viggiano stepped up to take it. The senior drilled a low ball around the wall and into the bottom corner of the net, giving the 'Cats a 2-0 lead.

Illinois got one goal back in the 75th minute on a corner kick rebound finished by Katie Murray to make it 2-1. The Illini nearly found an equalizer with eight minutes to play, but senior Hannah Davison blocked a shot on the goal line to preserve the lead.

The #B1GCats are back in action on Sunday in the regular season finale on the road at Iowa at 1 p.m. The 'Cats control their own destiny and can clinch a spot in the Big Ten Tournament with a win.

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