Northwestern University Athletics
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Vanderbilt
No. 20 Northwestern Visits Vanderbilt in NCAA Tournament Rematch
9/2/2023 10:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
EVANSTON, Ill. – In a rematch of the 2022 NCAA Tournament Second Round, No. 20 Northwestern will travel to Vanderbilt to take on the Commodores on Sunday, September 3. Kickoff from Vanderbilt Soccer Complex is set for 1 p.m. CT on SECN+.
Last time out, the 'Cats took down Boston U 3-0 on Thursday night at Martin Stadium. Ella Hase broke through in the 14th minute to give the 'Cats a 1-0 lead that they held for the majority of the game. Northwestern's continued to pressure the Terriers, and was rewarded in the 82nd minute when Megan Norkett tallied her first collegiate goal to double the Wildcat lead. Meg Boade added on four minutes later in the 86th minute to extend the NU lead to three and put the game on ice.
Four different Wildcats have notched a goal and an assist in the same game this season (Aulicino, Boade, del Carmen, Hase). Aulicino and Boade have notched a goal and an assist in the same game twice.
The Wildcats are unbeaten through five games for the first time since 2018. Northwestern's 17 goals are the most through five games in program history. The Wildcats have recorded four shutouts through five games, and have scored three or more goals four times.
The 'Cats rank tied for first in the Big Ten in both goals per game (3.40) and goals against average (0.20).
Sunday's matchup will mark the second all-time meeting between Northwestern and Vanderbilt on the pitch. In the only prior meeting in the NCAA Tournament Second Round, Josie Aulicino notched the breakthrough in the 54th minute and Bridget Mitchell put the 'Cats ahead 2-0 in the 81st minute with her first career collegiate goal. The Commodores took one back from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute, but NU held on for a 2-1 win.
Vanderbilt enters Sunday's match with a 3-0-2 record, having most recently taken down Kansas State 1-0 behind a second half penalty kick. Freshman Ella Eggleston leads the Commodores offensively with a goal and two assists so far on the season.
Northwestern will return home for a Thursday night showdown with Weber State on Thursday, September 7 at 7 p.m. CT at Martin Stadium.
