'Cats Host Ramblers in Crosstown Clash'Cats Host Ramblers in Crosstown Clash
Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athlet

'Cats Host Ramblers in Crosstown Clash

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern women’s soccer returns home for a crosstown matchup with local foe Loyola Chicago on Thursday night. Kickoff from Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on B1G+.

Last time out, the Wildcats picked up their second clean sheet of the season in a 1-0 victory at Butler, NU’s third straight victory over the Bulldogs by a 1-0 scoreline. Junior forward Mary Stroebel’s 69th-minute goal, assisted by senior forward Sarah O’Donnell, stood up as the game-winner. 

Stroebel’s goal marked the second of her career, both game-winners. The Cedarburg, Wis., native recorded the game-winner in NU’s 2-0 win at Loyola Chicago last season.

Senior goalkeeper CJ Roy collected her first career shutout in the victory at Butler. The clean sheet gave NU its 12th since the start of last season. Northwestern recorded 10 shutouts over 21 games in 2025, its most clean sheets in a single season since 2022 (10). Nyamma Nelson's 10 shutouts in 2025 broke the NU first-year record and ranked second in the Big Ten and 14th nationally. Nelson’s 11 career clean sheets rank sixth in school history.

#35Midfielder

Sarah O'Donnell

The Wildcats have tallied four goals and five assists so far on the 2026 season, coming from eight different players. Sarah O'Donnell leads all 'Cats with three points (one goal, one assist).

Northwestern returns 76.6% of its games started, 75.2% of its minutes played, 76.9% of its goals scored, 82.8% of its assists and 79.0% of its points from its 2025 team.

NU leads the all-time series over Loyola Chicago 11-1-1, outscoring the Ramblers 32-5 over 13 meetings. NU is 6-1 all-time against LUC in Evanston and has won five straight in the series overall.

The Ramblers (2-2) enter Thursday night’s contest fresh off a 2-0 win over Illinois State. Senior midfielder Maggie Schmidt leads Loyola with a pair of goals on the season. Senior goalkeeper Allison Deardorff has posted a 1.50 goals against average to go with a .750 save percentage.

The ‘Cats will hit the road for their final non-conference test at No. 10 Tennessee on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff from Knoxville is set for 1 p.m. CT on SECN+.