Nov. 18, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern (13-7), fresh off a monumental win over national power Saint Louis Thursday, will look to keep its historic season going when they welcome in UNC Greensboro (16-7-1) for an NCAA third round match Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Leonard B. Thomas Athletic Complex in Evanston. Tickets are $7 for general admission, $5 for youth, seniors and students with I.D., and $1 for infants two and under.
"What has been great for us is that we have won each of our NCAA games in completely different ways," head coach Tim Lenahan said. "We were successful against Cincinnati because our attack really clicked and we scored three goals. Against St. Louis we defended like warriors for most of the game to get the result. We are hopeful to get both sides going against UNC Greensboro.
"We know we have our worked cut out for us. UNC Greensboro is a great attacking team and one of the highest scoring teams in the country. We have played great at home throughout the year and I am confident of another strong effort. It should be a great game. We are looking forward to a great crowd with the students and community coming out to see the first "Sweet Sixteen" game in Northwestern history."
Scouting UNC Greensboro
UNC Greensboro has defeated Virginia Tech and sixth-seeded West Virginia last Wednesday in its current NCAA run. The Spartans, a member of the Southern Conference, have won 16 games this season (16-7-1) and feature one of the most potent offensive attacks in the country, ranking 15th with more than two goals per game. Randi Patterson is 25th nationally in goals per game. He enters Sunday game with a team-high 13 goals and one assist for 27 points. Michael Fitzgerald is second with nine goals on the year. Overall the Spartans have scored 49 goals, 20 more than Northwestern, but also have given up 36 goals to only 18 for the Wildcats. Goalkeeper Nate Berry has started 21 games, recording 83 saves and seven shutouts on the year.
Second Round Recap
Waiting an extra day to play their NCAA tournament second round match against Saint Louis did not bother the 'Cats one bit. Playing in front of his hometown family and friends, David Roth scored the only goal of the match and Justin Pines made seven saves as the Wildcats upset the 11th-seeded Billikens, 1-0. The Billikens came out with a flurry, keeping play in the Northwestern end right from the opening whistle. The Wildcats struck first against the 11th-seeded Billikens on their home field. Roth, a 2006 first-team all-Big Ten selection, belted a strike from 30 yards that deflected off the cross bar and into the net to give Northwestern a 1-0 lead at the 20:15 mark of the first half - a goal that proved to be the game-winner. Roth increased his season point total to 21 on his eighth goal of the year. Saint Louis almost tied the game in the next minute, but Pines stood on his head and made another stop on a one-on-one opportunity by Casey Spiess, his second point blank save of the afternoon. Pines needed to make another big save on another shot from less than 10 yards, this time by John DiRaimondo. In the last 20 minutes Saint Louis went to the soccer equivalent of a "full-court press", forcing corner kicks and taking shots at the Northwestern goal. The Wildcats held tough and while Pines stood on his head, defenders found themselves in exactly the right spot to deflect passes, head crosses out of the box or clear the ball away from the Wildcat net.
Quick Notes: