CHICAGO (September 19, 2026) – Northwestern (4-3-1, 1-1 B1G) erupted for five goals in just over 20 minutes during the second half as it rolled to a 5-2 win over UIC this afternoon at Flames Field on Chicago’s West Side.
How It Happened
Northwestern looked to press the issue early, as Ethan Nakolo saw his right-footed shot collected by UIC goalkeeper Owen Cornell. Dominic Pereira responded with a save of his own in the 12th minute, corralling Darnell Turcios’ rising effort.
Following a video review of a Wildcat foul inside the Flames’ 18-yard box with 20 minutes gone, Alan Alonso sent the hosts in front, slotting home from the spot to give UIC a 1-0 lead it would carry into halftime.
After seeing Pereira deny Sebastian Khoury to keep the deficit at one five minutes into the second half, Northwestern found its breakthrough in the 52nd minute. Yuval Nimrodi sent a ball towards the back post that connected flush with Tre Barrett, who directed home from close range to knot the game up at 1-1.
Barrett turned from scorer to distributor less than seven minutes after getting on the scoresheet when his throw-in in the offensive third found Aaron O’Reilly. O’Reilly did the rest, creating separation before tucking his right-footed attempt inside the far post to put the ‘Cats on top, 2-1.
Italo Addimandi joined the party in the 68th minute, scoring from inside the six-yard box after Bryant Mayer headed towards goal to push the gap to 3-1.
The pairing of Nakolo and Peter Riesz put an exclamation point on the afternoon for Northwestern. Riesz made easy work of an Andrew Millar feed, as he converted from 10 yards out to make it 4-1 in the 73rd minute. Nakolo added a highlight-reel strike less than two minutes later, besting Cornell with a left-footed rocket that extended the lead to 5-1.
UIC pulled a goal back through Martin Montoya in the 79th minute, trimming the margin to 5-2, but the hosts would get no closer as Northwestern closed out non-conference play in dominant fashion.
Looking At The Numbers
- Northwestern’s five goals were its most in a game since a 5-2 win over Wisconsin on February 23, 2021.
- Addimandi’s goal, which went down as the game-winner, was his team-best fourth of the season.
- Mayer notched his 12th career assist on Addimandi’s tally, a total that is tied for 12th all-time in Wildcat annals.
- Nimrodi closed the day with a team-best two assists.
- This afternoon marked the second time in three games that Northwestern has piled up six assists, with Barrett, Millar, and Riesz joining Nimrodi and Mayer in dishing out helpers.
- Despite being outshot by a 19-7 margin, Northwestern closed the day with a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal against a UIC defensive unit that came into the afternoon allowing just north of one goal per game.
Up Next
Northwestern returns to Big Ten Conference play on Friday, September 25, when it welcomes Michigan to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The 6:30 p.m. CT matchup will serve as the program’s “Nuestros Colores” game in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.