Sept. 25, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Okay folks, now its time for the real show to begin.
The previews are over, the curtain has been lifted. It is finally time for Big Ten competition. Northwestern will face its toughest test of the season Friday when the Wildcats do battle with No. 5 Michigan at the Leonard B. Thomas Sports Complex and then face league foe Ohio State, Sunday on the same stage.
While this weekend's matches will be NU's first official Big Ten matches of the season, they have already seen some of what the conference has to offer, having played Iowa in a nonconference match. However, that match had no playoff or standing ramifications-- the two this weekend certainly do.
Wildcats' head coach Marisa Didio is pleased with the preparations her team has made heading into the meat of their schedule.
"We have really positioned ourselves to compete against the Big Ten," Didio said. "Our schedule was one that allowed us to face good programs who have been traditionally strong."
Didio, whose career record against the Wolverines is 9-5, knows that her team must play well out of the gate.
"We really need to go out and establish ourselves early in the match against Michigan. We have to try to do some of the things that we've done and get them out of what they like to do," said Didio.
NU will rely on the offense of Junior Candice Cooper, who leads the Wildcat attack with nine points, and a steady defensive effort.
"I am excited about what this team can do. We have great leadership heading into this match and a bunch of girls who I think are very focused and determined," Didio said.