Saturday, September 6
Cincinnati, Ohio
5:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern
3-1-1, 0-0-0
1
at
0
Xavier
1-2-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Northwestern
0
1
1
Xavier
0
0
0
Photo by: Daniel Betz/Xavier Athletics
Payne Nets 100th Win, ‘Cats Strike Late At Xavier, 1-0
9/6/2025 8:42:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Jallow scores game-winning goal in 87th minute
CINCINNATI, Ohio (September 6, 2025) – Omar Jallow headed home the night's lone goal in the 87th minute to propel Northwestern to a thrilling 1-0 win over Xavier (1-2-0) this evening at Corcoran Field in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Tonight's victory, which sees the Wildcats improve to 3-1-1 on the young season, marks the 100th career win for Northwestern head coach Russell Payne.
How It Happened
Rafael Ponce de León was called into action less than seven minutes in, as he went to the ground to deny Cooper Forcellini's strike from the edge of the 18-yard box. Andrew Johnson looked to get Northwestern on the board shortly after, unleashing an ambitious effort that stung the hands of Xavier goalkeeper Jonny Mennell in the 12th minute.
Just past the half-hour mark, Gun Ha Lee saw his caution for a reckless challenge upgraded to a red card following video review, giving the 'Cats a man advantage for the final hour of play. Mennell came up with another stop in the 40th minute, collecting Jallow's strike from the top of the box to ensure a scoreless deadlock at halftime.
Northwestern continued to pile on pressure coming out of the break. Mennell needed a point-blank save to deny Alejandro Martinez Santamaria in the 58th minute before Jayvin Van Deventer struck the post four minutes later. Only seconds after coming on for his 2025 debut, Bryant Mayer forced the Xavier netminder into a leaping save at his near post with 15 minutes to play.
With time ticking away, the 'Cats were rewarded for their persistence in the dying minutes. Martinez Santamaria sent a ball towards the back post that found a leaping Jallow, who tucked his headed effort in across goal to set off a wild celebration and seal a road win for Northwestern.
Looking At The Numbers
- Jallow tallied his first career game-winning goal this evening.
- He is the fifth different Wildcat to score through the season's opening five games.
- Martinez Santamaria and Van Deventer were both credited with assists on Jallow's tally.
- Martinez Santamaria, who dished out his conference-best fifth helper of the season, has recorded an assist in four straight games.
- Northwestern closed the night with a dominant 16-5 advantage in shots, a ledger that included a 9-2 edge in shots on goal.
- Ponce de León made a pair of saves in the first half en route to his second shutout of 2025.
Up Next
Northwestern jets west to Southern California next weekend, where it will open Big Ten Conference play against UCLA in a 9 p.m. CT matchup on Friday, September 12. After battling the Bruins, the 'Cats will step back outside of conference play on Monday, September 15, when they visit UC Riverside at 1 p.m. CT.
Gallery: (9-6-2025) Men's Soccer at Xavier
Tonight's victory, which sees the Wildcats improve to 3-1-1 on the young season, marks the 100th career win for Northwestern head coach Russell Payne.
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— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) September 7, 2025
Congratulations to @keepruss on picking up his 100th career win! pic.twitter.com/f8XUMyP2lh
How It Happened
Rafael Ponce de León was called into action less than seven minutes in, as he went to the ground to deny Cooper Forcellini's strike from the edge of the 18-yard box. Andrew Johnson looked to get Northwestern on the board shortly after, unleashing an ambitious effort that stung the hands of Xavier goalkeeper Jonny Mennell in the 12th minute.
Just past the half-hour mark, Gun Ha Lee saw his caution for a reckless challenge upgraded to a red card following video review, giving the 'Cats a man advantage for the final hour of play. Mennell came up with another stop in the 40th minute, collecting Jallow's strike from the top of the box to ensure a scoreless deadlock at halftime.
Northwestern continued to pile on pressure coming out of the break. Mennell needed a point-blank save to deny Alejandro Martinez Santamaria in the 58th minute before Jayvin Van Deventer struck the post four minutes later. Only seconds after coming on for his 2025 debut, Bryant Mayer forced the Xavier netminder into a leaping save at his near post with 15 minutes to play.
With time ticking away, the 'Cats were rewarded for their persistence in the dying minutes. Martinez Santamaria sent a ball towards the back post that found a leaping Jallow, who tucked his headed effort in across goal to set off a wild celebration and seal a road win for Northwestern.
Looking At The Numbers
- Jallow tallied his first career game-winning goal this evening.
- He is the fifth different Wildcat to score through the season's opening five games.
- Martinez Santamaria and Van Deventer were both credited with assists on Jallow's tally.
- Martinez Santamaria, who dished out his conference-best fifth helper of the season, has recorded an assist in four straight games.
- Northwestern closed the night with a dominant 16-5 advantage in shots, a ledger that included a 9-2 edge in shots on goal.
- Ponce de León made a pair of saves in the first half en route to his second shutout of 2025.
Up Next
Northwestern jets west to Southern California next weekend, where it will open Big Ten Conference play against UCLA in a 9 p.m. CT matchup on Friday, September 12. After battling the Bruins, the 'Cats will step back outside of conference play on Monday, September 15, when they visit UC Riverside at 1 p.m. CT.
Team Stats
NWU
Xavier
Goals
1
0
Shots
16
5
Shots on Goal
9
2
Saves
2
8
Corners
5
3
Fouls
14
12
Scoring Plays
Omar Jallow (1)
Assisted By: Alejandro Martinez Santamaria , Jayvin Van Deventer
GOAL by NWU Jallow, Omar Assist by Martinez Santamaria, Alejandro and Van Deventer, Jayvin.
86:57
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
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