CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Northwestern fell 3-2 to Illinois in a back-and-forth affair at Demirjian Park on Thursday night.
The Wildcats (5-9-3, 3-6-1 Big Ten) drew first blood, with sophomore forward Liz Cardwell notching her first career goal in the 17th minute. Junior forward Alex Fallon knifed into the 18-yard box, sending Illinois defenders the wrong way, before playing through to Cardwell, who was waiting in the box. The Joilet, Ill., native redirected the cross on net past Illini goalkeeper Izzy Lee for the game’s first goal.
The Opener 🤩 https://t.co/98abn9T8fF
— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) October 22, 2026
Illinois (5-4-7, 2-4-4 Big Ten) responded to the goal with renewed pressure, but the Wildcat defense held strong to take a 1-0 lead into the intermission.
The Fighting Illini evened the game at one apiece in the 70th minute on a goal by senior defender Kylie Marschall, assisted by fifth year midfielder Ashley Stellon.
Illinois followed that up with another goal in short succession to take the lead in the 73rd minute by junior forward Gabriella Garcia-Terrell. In the 83rd minute, senior forward Hedda Ornberg doubled the Illini lead and put the hosts ahead, 3-1.
First-year forward Camryn Freeman pulled one back in the 87th minute, finishing off a cross from senior forward Keira Wagner to trim the deficit to one, but NU couldn’t muster a third in the final four minutes. Freeman’s goal is her fourth of the season, all in conference play. Freeman’s four goals in conference play are the most by a Big Ten rookie.
Goal #️⃣4️⃣ on the season for Camryn Freeman 🤩 https://t.co/7dM0MF6VtS
— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) October 23, 2026
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.