EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern’s backline stood tall against No. 6 Michigan State, but the Spartans broke through for an 88th-minute game-winner to seal a 1-0 victory.
MSU (13-3-2, 9-3-0 Big Ten) outshot the Wildcats 6-3 in the first half, but both defenses did well to limit quality chances for the opposition.
Northwestern’s (5-11-3, 3-8-1 Big Ten) best look of the night came on a 76th-minute corner kick. Senior midfielder Sarah O’Donnell’s service popped up to first-year forward Kayla Kamdem. Kamdem headed it on frame, past the Spartan keeper, before her attempt was cleared off the line by MSU senior defender Bella Najera to keep the match scoreless.
In the 88th minute, Spartans senior defender Renee Watson intercepted a Wildcat pass near midfield and dribbled deep into the Wildcat half before playing off to junior forward Shelby Vaughn, who placed her attempt past sophomore goalkeeper Nyamma Nelson to give the Spartans the lead.
Nelson tallied five saves in the contest, her eighth five-plus save effort this season.
Nyamma Nelson comes up with a key save for @NUWSoccer to keep things level against No. 6 Michigan State🧤 https://t.co/yda1R3vXi3
— Big Ten Soccer (@B1GSoccer) October 31, 2026