Oct. 26, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. - It's all come down to this. Northwestern (9-8-1, 2-6-1) and Wisconsin (8-8-2, 2-6-1) will battle it out for the final Big Ten Tournament spot when the two teams square off this Friday at 3 p.m. in Evanston.
Both teams are tied for ninth place with the winner leap-frogging Ohio State who completed conference play last weekend with nine points (3-7-0). If Wisconsin and Northwestern tie, neither team will get a tournament bid with the last three tournament spots going to Ohio State, Indiana and Michigan.
"Wisconsin is going to be one of the toughest teams we've faced," Haigh said. "I think they are a great team. They have had a lot of results just like us where they have outshot their opponent but given up a lot of goals defensively. We'll be ready for them."
Jones Captures Conference Honor:
Junior goalkeeper Whitney Jones has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for her outstanding play in goal over the weekend. The honor is the first for Jones in her career and the second for the 'Cats this season.
Jones recorded nine saves over the weekend, including five in the dramatic double-overtime win against Ohio State Friday. She made several key defensive stops on the afternoon to keep the 'Cats in the game and stay in the hunt for a Big Ten Tournament spot. Jones was equally impressive Sunday afternoon, holding Loyola to one goal and recording four saves in the 1-0 defeat.
Jones has four shutouts on the season and 14 in her career, ranking her second on NU's all-time list. She currently ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 75 saves and is fifth with four shutouts. She has allowed one or fewer goals on 10 different occasions this year.
Consecutive 10-Win Seasons?
With a victory Friday against Wisconsin, coach Haigh will have recorded her second-consecutive 10-win season, a feat that has not been accomplished since the 1997 and '98 seasons.
Farewell Seniors:
Playing in their final home game Friday will be seniors Molly Maxfield, Julie Lipinski, Tabitha Lowey along with Kate Ghidinelli. All four will be recognized prior to the start of the game.
Recapping the Weekend:
Luck was finally on the Wildcats side Friday as Tabitha Lowey's goal in the 103rd minute gave Northwestern a dramatic 2-1 victory in double-overtime over the Ohio State Buckeyes The goal by Lowey made up for a missed opportunity late in the first overtime when she broke out in front in similar fashion but was denied with 30 seconds left in the extra session. But Lowey and the Wildcats would get another chance in the second overtime and this time put the game away when Kelsey Hans fed Lowey out in front of the pack who then quickly fired the ball from left to right over the outstretched arms of OSU keeper Staci Sinkway for the win. Freshman Jenny Dunn scored the first goal of the game in the 13th minute of play. Goalkeeper Whitney Jones recorded five saves in goal for the 'Cats.
Then on Sunday Northwestern dropped a 1-0 non-conference decision to the Loyola Ramblers on a wet and chilly afternoon. The Wildcats dominated in all phases of the game except for the final score. Loyola took one shot in the first half, a header by Alexia Murray off a Jamie Wasielewski corner shot for the only goal of the game in the 22nd minute. The 'Cats had plenty of scoring opportunities of their own, outshooting the Ramblers, 19-7, 11 of which were on goal.
Moving Up the Charts:
With her goal at Michigan State Oct. 9, sophomore forward Kelsey Hans moved into sole possession of second place on NU's all-time goals list with 21. With just over two years left, she is on pace to shatter the mark of 29 held by Stephanie Erickson (1994-97). In addition, junior goalkeeper Whitney Jones moved into sole possession of second place on the all-time shutout list with 14, 10 behind the record of 24 held by Wendy Scholz (1994-97).
A Glance at the Wildcats:
After beginning the season with seven wins in its first eight games, Northwestern has fought through some tough-luck conference losses with a 2-6-1 record. Despite its bad luck, the 'Cats have been resilient of late, winning two of their last three Big Ten games and are in position to grab the eighth and final Big Ten Tournament spot with a win over Wisconsin.
These Wildcats are no strangers to close games with 15 of NU's 18 games being decided by one goal or less. Sophomore Kelsey Hans, senior Tabitha Lowey and freshman Jenny Dunn lead the team and are tied for ninth in the Big Ten with six goals each. Hans also has four assists for a team-best 16 points and leads the Big Ten with 83 shots, a 4.88 shot per game average. Freshman Jeanette Lorme also has been consistent offensively with four goals and a team-best six assists for nine points - including two game-winners vs. UW-Milwaukee and Baylor. Freshman Krystal Patterson, senior Julie Lipinski and junior Katie Wright all have two goals each. In all, 13 different Wildcats have found the scoring column in either goal or assist fashion. In goal, junior Whitney Jones spouts an 9-8-1 record to go with four shutouts and 75 saves, good for fourth in the conference.
As a team the Wildcats are first with 310 shots (17.22 per game) and are fifth in goals scored (30) and points (86). The `Cats are outshooting their opponent, 310-209.
Jenny Haigh is in her fifth season as head coach of the Wildcats. The Wildcats made a nice leap in the Big Ten standings and regionally in 2004, finishing with 10 wins for the first time since 1998 and qualifying for the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since Haigh's first season in 2001. NU went 5-4-1 in conference play, its first Big Ten winning record since 1998.
This game is made all the more special for Haigh, going against her alma mater. Haigh was a four-year letterwinner at Wisconsin from 1991-95. During her playing career, the Badgers appeared in the NCAA Tournament four times, including the National Championship game in 1991. She was voted Most Improved in 1992 and 1994 and was a team captain in 1995.
Scouting Wisconsin:
The Badgers season has been a mirror image of Northwestern's. Their 2-6-1 Big Ten record could easily be flip-flopped having played four overtime Big Ten games, going 0-3-1 in those contests, and playing in seven overtime games overall. Wisconsin started off the Big Ten season with a 0-4-1 record but have since won two of its last four Big Ten games to put themselves in position to sneak into the tournament.
Amy Vermeulen is Wisconsin's leading goal scorer and points leader with seven goals and six assists for 20 points. Kara Kabellis and Katy Lindenmuth both have six goals and four assists each while Allison Preiss had four goals and a team-best eight assists for 16 points also. Her eight assists are good for second in the Big Ten. Lynn Murray is 8-4-2 in goal with two shutouts and 59 saves. As a team the Badgers are second in the Big Ten with 35 goals and 102 points and third with 32 assists.
Dean Duerst is in his 12th season as head coach and his 17th overall in Madison. He has led the Badgers to NCAA appearances in seven of his 11 years as head coach.
Series History:
Wisconsin holds a commanding 10-3 advantage in the all-time series, however NU won the last meeting in 2004, 2-1 in overtime in Evanston.