EVANSTON, Ill. (November 4, 2026) – Peter Riesz scored the first hat trick by a Wildcat since 2024 as Northwestern (6-6-4, 3-4-3 B1G) closed out the 2026 regular season with a 3-1 come-from-behind win over No. 13 Wisconsin (10-3-4, 3-3-4 B1G) this evening at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Tonight’s victory is Northwestern’s second this season over a top-15 opponent.
Riesz Nets Hat Trick, ‘Cats Rally Past No. 13 Wisconsin, 3-1
How It Happened
Dominic Pereira came up with his first save of the evening just before the quarter-hour mark, diving to tip Emile Kisse’s effort wide of goal. Bryant Mayer took aim at the other end of the field in the ensuing minutes, letting fly with a right-footed blast that stung the palms of Wisconsin goalkeeper Judewellin Michel.
After a Roman Eisa goal gave the Badgers a 1-0 edge in the 33rd minute, Aaron O’Reilly looked to have put the ‘Cats back on level terms in the 36th minute, only for video review to disallow his goal due to a foul in the buildup. Riesz made a bid for Northwestern’s opener three minutes later when he directed Tre Barrett’s corner kick narrowly over the bar, as Wisconsin took a one-goal lead into halftime.
Pereira came up with a point-blank stop of Aidan Martinez five minutes into the second half to keep the ‘Cats within striking distance. Northwestern would pull level eight minutes later when, following a Badger foul inside the 18-yard box, Riesz smashed home from the penalty spot to make it 1-1. The Wildcats heaped on pressure following Riesz’s goal, with Barrett, O’Reilly, and Andrew Millar all forcing saves out of Michel.
The hosts were rewarded for their persistence in the 70th minute when Riesz cashed in for his second goal of the night, drilling a right-footed effort from 15 yards out off the underside of the crossbar and in to put the ‘Cats on top, 2-1.
Pereira provided one of the night’s defining moments in the 76th minute. After a Wildcat foul inside the 18-yard box sent Wisconsin to the penalty spot, the redshirt sophomore netminder dove to deny Matthew Zachemski and keep Northwestern in front.
Riesz removed any late drama in the 78th minute, calmly converting again from the spot to stretch the margin to 3-1 and cement another ranked win at home for Northwestern.
Looking At The Numbers
- Riesz, who closes the regular season with a team-high seven goals to his name, is the first Wildcat to record a hat trick since Akinjide Awujo on November 3, 2024.
- Seth Mahlmeister and Ethan Nakolo were credited with assists on Riesz’s second goal of the evening.
- Pereira was outstanding in goal, recording five saves to earn his sixth victory of 2026.
- After being outshot by a slim 5-3 margin in the first half, Northwestern dictated the tempo in the second stanza, finishing with a 16-6 advantage in the category across the final 45 minutes.