Friday, September 28
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m.
Northwestern
8-2-2, 2-2-1
4
vs
1
Michigan
6-6, 2-3
1
2
F
Michigan
1
0
1
Northwestern
4
0
4
Offensive Outburst Powers No. 17 'Cats Past Wolverines
9/28/2018 10:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer
EVANSTON, Ill. – No. 17 Northwestern used an offensive explosion to power past Michigan, 4-1, on Friday night at Martin Stadium.
The Wildats improved to 8-2-2 on the season and 2-2-1 in the Big Ten, while improving their home record to 4-1 at Martin Stadium. The Wolverines dropped to 6-6 and 2-3 in conference.
Seniors Brenna Lovera, Kayla Sharples and Jenny Haskel and first-year Haley Lawson all got on the scoresheet for the Wildcats. Lovera assisted Lawson's goal while senior Marisa Viggiano assisted Sharples' on a corner kick. Sophomore Kayleigh Stahlschmidt also picked up an assist on Haskel's goal.
Haskel scored the first goal of her collegiate career, coming on her birthday, while Lawson also recorded the first goal and first point of her career in her rookie year.
First year Mackenzie Wood started in net, and made three saves in the second half for her eighth win.
Northwestern scored all four goals in the first half, scoring four in a game for the first time since Sept. 25, 2016 against Maryland on the road. The last time the 'Cats scored four goals in a half was against UIC on Aug. 27, 2014 in a 6-0 win. The last three-goal win for the team came against Illinois State last season on Aug. 20, 2017 by a 3-0 scoreline.
Northwestern started a raucous five-goal first half with the first strike on a corner kick in the 11th minute. Viggiano's delivery was punched by the Wolverine goalkeeper, but it fell right to Lovera at the penalty spot. The senior blasted a rocket into the roof of the net for her team-high fifth goal of the season to make it 1-0.
The Wildcats doubled the lead on their second corner of the game in the 16th minute. This time, Viggiano struck an inch-perfect ball to the back post and Sharples connected with it at full-speed for her third goal of the season to make it 2-0.
Michigan responded with a goal of its own in the 19th minute, when Alia Martin juggled a cross to herself and finished into the far corner.
Northwestern was unfazed and answered right back less than a minute later. Senior Hannah Davison launched a set piece towards the box, and after a bounce, Stahlschmidt headed it towards Haskel. The senior flicked up in the air and then slammed her next touch through the keeper to make it 3-1.
The Wildcats capped off their offensive outburst in the 29th minute. Lovera dribbled down the left side towards the end line, beat her defender and then served a cross back across the box. Lawson waited at the back post and knocked the ball into an open net to make it 4-1.
Northwestern saw out the second half behind some excellent saves from Wood and coasted towards their second conference win of the season.
Chicago's Big Ten Team is back in action next week with a road trip to face Rutgers on Thursday, Oct. 4 and Maryland on Sunday, Oct. 7.
The Wildats improved to 8-2-2 on the season and 2-2-1 in the Big Ten, while improving their home record to 4-1 at Martin Stadium. The Wolverines dropped to 6-6 and 2-3 in conference.
Hear from head coach Michael Moynihan on the #B1GCats win and a special night for @jennyhaskel! pic.twitter.com/uo6DnZEVv8
— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) September 29, 2018
Seniors Brenna Lovera, Kayla Sharples and Jenny Haskel and first-year Haley Lawson all got on the scoresheet for the Wildcats. Lovera assisted Lawson's goal while senior Marisa Viggiano assisted Sharples' on a corner kick. Sophomore Kayleigh Stahlschmidt also picked up an assist on Haskel's goal.
Haskel scored the first goal of her collegiate career, coming on her birthday, while Lawson also recorded the first goal and first point of her career in her rookie year.
First year Mackenzie Wood started in net, and made three saves in the second half for her eighth win.
Northwestern scored all four goals in the first half, scoring four in a game for the first time since Sept. 25, 2016 against Maryland on the road. The last time the 'Cats scored four goals in a half was against UIC on Aug. 27, 2014 in a 6-0 win. The last three-goal win for the team came against Illinois State last season on Aug. 20, 2017 by a 3-0 scoreline.
Northwestern started a raucous five-goal first half with the first strike on a corner kick in the 11th minute. Viggiano's delivery was punched by the Wolverine goalkeeper, but it fell right to Lovera at the penalty spot. The senior blasted a rocket into the roof of the net for her team-high fifth goal of the season to make it 1-0.
The Wildcats doubled the lead on their second corner of the game in the 16th minute. This time, Viggiano struck an inch-perfect ball to the back post and Sharples connected with it at full-speed for her third goal of the season to make it 2-0.
Michigan responded with a goal of its own in the 19th minute, when Alia Martin juggled a cross to herself and finished into the far corner.
Northwestern was unfazed and answered right back less than a minute later. Senior Hannah Davison launched a set piece towards the box, and after a bounce, Stahlschmidt headed it towards Haskel. The senior flicked up in the air and then slammed her next touch through the keeper to make it 3-1.
The Wildcats capped off their offensive outburst in the 29th minute. Lovera dribbled down the left side towards the end line, beat her defender and then served a cross back across the box. Lawson waited at the back post and knocked the ball into an open net to make it 4-1.
Northwestern saw out the second half behind some excellent saves from Wood and coasted towards their second conference win of the season.
Chicago's Big Ten Team is back in action next week with a road trip to face Rutgers on Thursday, Oct. 4 and Maryland on Sunday, Oct. 7.
••••••
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Team Stats
MICH
NU
Goals
1
4
Shots
13
10
Shots on Goal
4
8
Saves
4
3
Corners
4
5
Fouls
12
8
Scoring Plays
Brenna Lovera (5)
rebound to 22, smashed into top corner
10:45
Kayla Sharples (3)
Assisted By: Marisa Viggiano
corner from 14 straight to 27 at close r
16:20
Martin, Alia (2)
Assisted By: Foug, Katie
shot inside the box
18:09
Jenny Haskel (1)
Assisted By: K. Stahlschmidt
shot from close range, keeper spilled
19:14
Haley Lawson (1)
Assisted By: Brenna Lovera
cross from 22, 6 shot into open net
29:12
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's SoccerD/M
/ Women's SoccerF/M
/ Women's SoccerF/M
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
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