'Cats Trek to Champaign for In-State Rivalry Matchup

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern travels to Illinois for an in-state rivalry matchup on Thursday night. Kickoff from Demirjian Park is set for 6 p.m. CT on B1G+. 

Last time out, NU dropped its Senior Day contest to USC, 3-0. Senior forward Megan Norkett was shown a red card in the 39th minute, forcing the 'Cats to play with 10 players for the remainder of the game.

Sophomore goalkeeper Nyamma Nelson posted a career-high nine saves in NU’s setback at Rutgers on Oct. 8, the most saves by a Wildcat goalkeeper since Mackenzie Wood collected 10 saves against Harvard on Sep. 8, 2019. Nelson has posted five clean sheets in 2026, bringing her career total to 15, the fourth-most in program history. Nelson’s 15 clean sheets rank second in program history for an underclassman, trailing only Lauren Clem’s 20 from 2014-15.

NU is 11-16-4 all-time against Illinois. Last season, the 'Cats blanked the Illini 1-0 at home, behind senior forward Kelsey Kwon's first-career goal in the 15th minute. The Wildcats have won three of the last five (3-1-1) against Illinois. NU is seeking its first win in Champaign since Oct. 2, 2022, when it cruised to a 4-0 victory. 

Illinois (4-4-7, 1-4-4 Big Ten) ranks fourth in the Big Ten in goals against average, allowing 0.73 goals per game. Junior forward Cayla Jackson leads the Illini with four goals on the season. Fifth year goalkeeper Izzy Lee has played every minute this season, posting an .869 save percentage. 

Northwestern will return home to host No. 22 Purdue on Sunday evening for Alumni Day. Kickoff from Northwestern Medicine Field is slated for 5 p.m. CT on BTN.