Northwestern Puts on Goalscoring Showcase in Win over Badgers

Tuesday, February 23

Madison, WI

11 a.m.

Northwestern

1-1-0, 1-1-0

Wisconsin

0-2-0, 0-2-0

Northwestern

Wisconsin

Northwestern Puts on Goalscoring Showcase in Win over Badgers

2/23/2021 3:16:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

MADISON, Wis -- Northwestern secured its first win of the season in style Tuesday morning, beating Wisconsin 5-2 on the road. Four different players scored for Chicago's Big Ten Team as Northwestern moved to 1-1 on the year.

Tuesday's victory marked the first time the 'Cats have scored five or more goals in a conference game since beating Michigan 5-0 in the 2004 Big Ten Tournament en route to an appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats last scored more than five goals in the final game of the 2019 regular season when they beat Marian 7-0.

Ugo Achara Jr. led the way for the 'Cats, finishing with his first career brace on a career-high four shots, three of which were on goal. Achara also added an assist.

The talented sophomore was involved early with a hand in each of the Wildcats' first three goals. Northwestern drew the first blood when Richie Bennett found the back of the net in the 15th minute on a feed from Achara. Acahra then scored the next two, connecting on goals in the 20th and 29th minutes to put Northwestern up 3-0 just 28:11 into the game.

Vicente Castro was credited with his second assist of the season on Achara's first goal while Bardia Kimiavi and Spencer Farina were both credited on the second. Farina's assist was his first in the Purple and White.

Kimiavi picked up his second assist of the game when he connected with Logan Weaver for a strike in the 65th minute. First-year Joseph Arena, who scored his first career goal in the season opener, was also credited with an assist on Weaver's goal. It marked the second goal of Weaver's Northwestern career, after finding the back of the net against Rutgers last year, and his first of the season.

The 'Cats fired again just under three minutes later when senior Spencer Howard drilled a shot home in the 68th minute to open a 5-1 Northwestern lead. Rom Brown and Alex Gordon combined for the assist, the first collegiate assist for each player.

Wisconsin only managed one more goal as the 'Cats cruised to the 5-2 victory.

Graduate transfer Ethan Bandre picked up the first start of his Northwestern tenure after playing 25:02 in the season opener. Bandre played all 90 minutes, facing 15 shots and making three saves.

Northwestern returns to action Saturday as the 'Cats are set to take on Indiana at Ryan Fieldhouse. Kick-off is set for noon CT with live coverage on Big Ten Network+.

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