Wildcats Visit Hoosiers For Big Ten Tournament Semifinals

2021 NORTHWESTERN MEN'S SOCCER
DATE	OPPONENT	TIME (CT)	LOCATION	WATCH	LIVE STATS
Wednesday, Nov. 10	#17 Indiana	1 p.m. CT	Bill Armstrong Stadium Bloomington, Ind.	Big Ten Network	StatBroadcast
Social: Twitter (@NUMensSoccer) \| Instagram (@NUSoccer)

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern looks to extend its postseason run Wednesday at No. 17 Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT at Bill Armstrong Stadium and will be televised on Big Ten Network.

The Wildcats advanced out of the quarterfinals by upsetting Maryland, the No. 2 seed and the No. 10 team in the country, in penalty kicks, 3-2, after a 0-0 draw. Graduate goalkeeper Miha Miskovic turned in one of the best performances of a goalkeeper across the country this season with a career-high 10 saves, including three penalty kick saves and two in the shootout.

Miskovic was named to the Top Drawer Soccer team of the week for his efforts. It was the most saves in a game for a Wildcat since Robbie White made 10 against Maryland in 2017.

The 'Cats saw conversions in the shootout from Spencer Farina, Richie Bennett and Rom Brown.

Head coach Russell Payne earned a memorable victory over his alma mater, where he played from 1993-96 and coached from 2005 to 2010 under notable head coach Sasho Cirovski.

Northwestern battled the Hoosiers earlier in the season at Martin Stadium in a 2-1 defeat, taking the lead on a first half goal from Vicente Castro in front of a record sell-out crowd.

The 'Cats last played in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals in 2013, falling to No. 3 Michigan State as a seven seed. Northwestern last played in the Big Ten Tournament championship in 2011, the year they won the Big Ten double of conference tournament and regular season titles.

The 2011 title run was the last time Northwestern won a penalty shootout in the Big Ten Tournament, and the last time the Wildcats defeated Indiana in the event. Since then, the Wildcats have met Indiana four times in the quarterfinals in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2021 (spring season). The first three matchups all went to overtime and the 2014 matchup went to penalty kicks.

Coach Payne took place in three semifinals in the Patriot League Tournament during his stint at Army West Point, advancing to the final in 2018 as the No. 5 seed after defeating No. 1 seed Loyola. The other two matchups both went to overtime including a double overtime loss to No. 1 seed Boston University in 2014 and a penalty kick defeat to No. 3 seed Holy Cross in 2013.

The Wildcat offense continues to be led by sophomore Justin Weiss who was tied for the most goals in the Big Ten this regular season with eight. He is joined by junior playmaker Vicente Castro, who was tied for the Big Ten lead in assists in the regular season with seven. He tied the mark for eighth most assists in a season in program history, last accomplished by Cole Missimo in 2013.

Weiss was named to the All-Big Ten first team while first-year midfielder Collin McCamy made the Big Ten All-Freshman team. Since the team changed formations, McCamy has been outstanding as a left wingback.

Weiss is the first Wildcat to land on the All-Big Ten first team since 2014, when Nikko Boxall and Tyler Miller did so. The last attacker to land on the first team was Joey Calistri in 2013.

Northwestern last defeated Indiana in Feb. of 2021 in a 1-0 win at Ryan Fieldhouse with a goal from Ugo Achara. The 'Cats' only win in Bloomington in program history was a famous 1-0 victory in 2004 that snapped Indiana's 50-game winning streak.

Wildcats Visit Hoosiers For Big Ten Tournament Semifinals

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Players Mentioned

Richie Bennett

Rom Brown

Vicente Castro

Spencer Farina

Collin McCamy

Miha Miskovic

Justin Weiss

Northwestern University Athletics

Northwestern University Athletics