Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, November 14
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
6 p.m. CT
Northwestern
9-4-8, 4-2-5
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Alabama
11-8-2, 4-6-0
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Northwestern
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Alabama
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NU Drops Postseason Heartbreaker on Penalty Kicks at Alabama
11/14/2025 9:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ninety minutes and two overtime periods weren't enough to separate Northwestern and No. 8-seed Alabama in Friday night's NCAA Tournament First Round clash.
But with the two teams tied at 2-2, the Crimson Tide advanced to the tournament's Second Round on penalty kicks.
Sophomore forward Kennedy Roesch and junior midfielder Megan Norkett scored for the Wildcats (9-4-8, 4-2-5 Big Ten), who made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2022.
First-year goalkeeper Nyamma Nelson posted eight saves, tying her career-high.
Alabama rattled off four shots in the opening seven minutes, but the Northwestern backline held firm. The early defensive stretch gave way to free-flowing attacking play as the first half progressed, with the Wildcats posing threats down both wings.
In the 28th minute, NU turned its positive stretch of play into the opening goal.
Sophomore defender Ava Goodin whipped a low-driven cross in from the right flank. Roesch, perched at the top of the box, took a settling touch and struck a powerful effort into the bottom right corner.
Roesch's goal marked her 10th of the season, moving her into a four-way tie for third most in a campaign in program history. She is the first Wildcat first-year or sophomore to record an NCAA Tournament goal since Kayla Sharples did so in a 3-0 First Round win over Kent State in 2016.
Less than 12 minutes into the second half, Roesch nearly doubled her scoring total, but the sophomore's shot soared just over the crossbar.
In the 68th minute, Larkin Thomason scored the equalizer for the hosts, knotting the score at 1-1.
The tying effort set up a tense final 22 minutes of regulation, where both sides battled for a pivotal momentum shift.
With less than 17 minutes remaining, Norkett scored her third goal of the 2025 campaign to put NU back in front. The junior capitalized off feeds from senior midfielder Hayley Newman and Goodin to bury the go-ahead goal at the backpost, putting the 'Cats ahead 2-1.
But as the visitors looked to see out the result in the closing stretch, Madeline Padelski leveled the matchup in the 85th minute. With a 2-2 scoreline after 90 minutes, the match headed to extra time.
Both teams knocked at the door in the first 10-minute overtime period, but neither landed the decisive strike. Another scoreless sudden-death period ensued, sending the match to penalty kicks.
Ultimately, the 'Cats saw their remarkable 2025 turnaround draw to a close in heartbreaking fashion, falling 3-1 in penalty kicks.
But with the two teams tied at 2-2, the Crimson Tide advanced to the tournament's Second Round on penalty kicks.
Sophomore forward Kennedy Roesch and junior midfielder Megan Norkett scored for the Wildcats (9-4-8, 4-2-5 Big Ten), who made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2022.
First-year goalkeeper Nyamma Nelson posted eight saves, tying her career-high.
Alabama rattled off four shots in the opening seven minutes, but the Northwestern backline held firm. The early defensive stretch gave way to free-flowing attacking play as the first half progressed, with the Wildcats posing threats down both wings.
In the 28th minute, NU turned its positive stretch of play into the opening goal.
Sophomore defender Ava Goodin whipped a low-driven cross in from the right flank. Roesch, perched at the top of the box, took a settling touch and struck a powerful effort into the bottom right corner.
Roesch's goal marked her 10th of the season, moving her into a four-way tie for third most in a campaign in program history. She is the first Wildcat first-year or sophomore to record an NCAA Tournament goal since Kayla Sharples did so in a 3-0 First Round win over Kent State in 2016.
Although the Crimson Tide tallied nine first-half shots, Northwestern kept the potentially potent Alabama attack at bay. Nelson posted four first-half saves to preserve a 1-0 halftime scoreline.An absolute MISSILE ?? @KennedyRoesch pic.twitter.com/KuCGpyzGEI
— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) November 15, 2025
Less than 12 minutes into the second half, Roesch nearly doubled her scoring total, but the sophomore's shot soared just over the crossbar.
In the 68th minute, Larkin Thomason scored the equalizer for the hosts, knotting the score at 1-1.
The tying effort set up a tense final 22 minutes of regulation, where both sides battled for a pivotal momentum shift.
With less than 17 minutes remaining, Norkett scored her third goal of the 2025 campaign to put NU back in front. The junior capitalized off feeds from senior midfielder Hayley Newman and Goodin to bury the go-ahead goal at the backpost, putting the 'Cats ahead 2-1.
SMASHED IT ?? pic.twitter.com/2IBjXjJO8I
— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) November 15, 2025
But as the visitors looked to see out the result in the closing stretch, Madeline Padelski leveled the matchup in the 85th minute. With a 2-2 scoreline after 90 minutes, the match headed to extra time.
Both teams knocked at the door in the first 10-minute overtime period, but neither landed the decisive strike. Another scoreless sudden-death period ensued, sending the match to penalty kicks.
Ultimately, the 'Cats saw their remarkable 2025 turnaround draw to a close in heartbreaking fashion, falling 3-1 in penalty kicks.
Team Stats
NU
UA
Goals
2
2
Shots
13
24
Shots on Goal
6
10
Saves
8
4
Corners
6
6
Fouls
17
19
Scoring Plays
Kennedy Roesch (10)
GOAL by NU Roesch, Kennedy.
27:08
Larkin Thomason (9)
GOAL by UA Thomason, Larkin.
67:59
Megan Norkett (3)
Assisted By: Hayley Newman , Ava Goodin
GOAL by NU Norkett, Megan Assist by Newman, Hayley and Goodin, Ava.
73:24
Madeline Padelski (5)
Assisted By: Gianna Paul
GOAL by UA Padelski, Madeline Assist by Paul, Gianna.
84:51
Game Leaders
Shots
7
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
M/D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerF
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