Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
8-3-7, 4-2-5
#20 Wisconsin
12-4-2, 6-3-2
Northwestern Splits Points With No. 20 Wisconsin in Big Ten Finale
10/26/2025 6:44:00 PM | Women's Soccer
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern picked up a 1-1 tie in its regular-season finale against No. 20 Wisconsin on Sunday at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Sophomore forward Kennedy Roesch salvaged the draw with a 79th minute goal.
"It was obviously a tough game," coach Michael Moynihan said. "Wisconsin had the upper hand right at the beginning, but we worked ourselves into it and generated some really good chances to go ahead. In the second half, Wisconsin had a lot of momentum, got a goal, and I was really proud of the way our group responded."
The Wildcats (8-3-7, 4-2-5 Big Ten) battled back from a one-goal deficit to split points with the Badgers (12-4-2, 6-3-2 Big Ten). The draw earned NU the No. 7-seed in the Big Ten Tournament, where it'll square off with No. 10-seed USC in the First Round on Thursday.
Moynihan's squad earned points against four ranked opponents during the 2025 regular season, the program's most since the 2022 campaign.
"Our kids love playing highly-ranked teams," Moynihan said. "They're not afraid of anything. They look forward to it."
Northwestern outshot Wisconsin 3-1 in the first half, but neither side managed to find the breakthrough. In perhaps the chance of the half, junior midfielder Megan Norkett whipped in a cross to Roesch, who forced a Badger goalline clearance.
Wisconsin ended the stalemate less than four minutes into the second half, with Erin Connolly heading home the opening goal to give the Badgers a 1-0 lead.
First-year goalkeeper Nyamma Nelson kept the Wildcats in contention with a diving save in the 66th minute. Two minutes later, Nelson denied another Wisconsin breakthrough with a clinical stop.
On the ensuing transition play, Roesch nearly leveled the contest, but her powerful effort went wide left. Roesch and junior defender Keira Wagner fired a pair of shots on goal as the match approached its final quarter hour, but Badger goalkeeper Drew Stover saved both away from danger.
The 'Cats earned their first corner of the match in the 78th minute, and while they couldn't immediately capitalize, they retained possession deep in the opposing half. From the left wing, first-year midfielder crossed a ball into Roesch's direction. Roesch met the feed and headed in her ninth goal of the season.
With her equalizer, Roesch moved into a four-player tie for the sixth most goals in a single season in program history.
"When I look at who we've been playing in the Big Ten, I'd have to say she's one of the most threatening forwards right now," Moynihan said of Roesch. "That's a pretty powerful statement when you look at the quality in the Big Ten. She's just been grinding away, spending a little extra time after every practice, doing a little extra finishing and it's paying off."
While both teams combined for 18 second-half shots, the match ultimately culminated in a 1-1 draw. The result extended NU's unbeaten run to four matches to close the Big Ten slate.
"We had some really quality chances aside from our goal tonight," Moynihan said. "So I for sure like what I'm seeing there. Hopefully we can keep creating chances in postseason play."
The 7-seed Wildcats will face 10-seed USC in the First Round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. CT on B1G+ in West Lafayette, Ind.
Tournament Time ?
— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) October 26, 2025
We'll play USC in the First Round of the 2025 Big Ten Tournament on Thursday Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. CT in West Lafayette, Ind. pic.twitter.com/qTetJgv6yn
Team Stats
Erin Connolly (7)
Assisted By: Jenna Baumann , Brooke Allen
GOAL by WIS Connolly, Erin Assist by Baumann, Jenna and Allen, Brooke.
48:54
Kennedy Roesch (9)
Assisted By: Keira Kemmerley
GOAL by NU Roesch, Kennedy Assist by Kemmerley, Keira.
78:07
