'Cats Outduel Scarlet Knights in Senior Day Victory

Sunday, October 12

Evanston, Ill.

1 p.m. CT

Northwestern

6-3-6, 2-2-4

Rutgers

3-6-4, 1-6-1

Rutgers

Northwestern

'Cats Outduel Scarlet Knights in Senior Day Victory

10/12/2025 3:51:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Highlights

By: Jake Epstein

EVANSTON, Ill. — Behind goals from Kennedy Roesch, Megan Norkett and Keira Kemmerley, Northwestern defeated Rutgers 3-0 on Sunday afternoon in Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.

Prior to the contest, the program honored its departing seniors and graduate students in its Senior Day ceremonies. Coach Michael Moynihan said he was especially proud of his team's mental strength to handle business on such an emotional day.

"It's always an emotional day, and we talked about it quite a bit in advance: 'Just keep our heads in the right place,'" Moynihan said. "The best way to honor them is with a good result and a good performance."

SENIOR DAY DUB ?? pic.twitter.com/F6F9A4QlZn
— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) October 12, 2025

The Wildcats (6-3-6, 2-2-4 Big Ten) have scored seven goals in their past three games — the program's most productive three-match stretch of the season.

"It was nice to see that we had a lot of creativity and freedom in the final third," Roesch said. "The best teams in the world are able to do that. We kept our shots on target, and fortunately, a few of them were able to get into the back of the net."

First-year goalkeeper Nyamma Nelson posted three saves to blank the Scarlet Knights (3-6-5, 1-6-1 Big Ten). Nelson's shutout, her eighth of the season, placed her in a tie with Mackenzie Wood for the fifth most in a single season in program history and second-most by a first-year goalkeeper.

In the eighth minute, Roesch connected with graduate student midfielder Kelsey Kwon on a swift give-and-go before burying a left-footed shot in the bottom right corner. Kwon, Northwestern's lone fifth-year, dished out her second-career assist on the play.

Roesch's tally — her sixth of the season — matched her team-high total from the 2024 campaign.

After scoring the opening goal for the third consecutive match, the Wildcats relentlessly pushed for a second. Another breakthrough soon arrived in the 20th minute.

Racing down the right flank, sophomore Ava Goodin whipped a cross into the box. The ball skipped through a crowd of Rutgers defenders and fell onto Norkett's boot. On a one-timed finish, Norkett slotted home the first goal of her junior season and extended Northwestern's lead to 2-0.

"I feel like it's been a long-time coming," Norkett said of her goal. "I've been working for it for a while now, but I was really happy. The team played so well today, so it was nice to add to that and help the team out."

The hosts outshot the Scarlet Knights 6-2 in the opening 45 minutes. The 'Cats also took five corner kicks during first-half play.

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Norkett nearly bagged a second as she forced Rutgers goalkeeper Olivia Bodmer into a diving save.

Just beyond the hour-mark, Norkett found herself in an advanced position on the left wing. She played Roesch, who set up Kemmerley at the top of the box. Kemmerly unleashed a well-placed effort into the back of the net. The first-year's first-career goal pushed the Northwestern lead to 3-0 in the 63rd minute.

"Keira has been incredible," Norkett said. "She is one of the hardest workers I know, and the goal was coming for her, too. It was only a matter of time. She's put herself in so many great chances, [I'm] just really proud of her."

The Wildcat backline held firm down the stretch as Northwestern secured its second straight home shutout.

Northwestern will be back in action on Thursday, October 16, when the Wildcats will play host to in-state rival Illinois at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT, with streaming on B1G+.