Aug. 31, 2007
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Sophomore Alicia Herczeg's (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura) goal in the 94th minute gave the Wildcats a 1-0 win over Drake in their first regular-season contest of 2007. The 'Cats and Bulldogs stayed scoreless for 90 minutes of regulation play, but NU needed less than four minutes of overtime to get its season started on the right note.
With the win, Northwestern improves to 1-0 while Drake falls to 0-1.
"Drake is a great team and it was a real battle," head coach Stephanie Erickson said. "I am proud of the way we competed and adjusted to this game."
The Wildcats took 15 shots in regulation, but could not find the back of the net in the first 90 minutes. However, NU needed less than four minutes of overtime to notch a win in its first bout of 2007. Herczeg's shot from inside the box was set up by a crossing pass from freshman Sam Greene (Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica).
Senior Lauren Johnston (Denver, Colo./Denver East) made five saves between the pipes and picked up the victory. Senior Kelsey Hans (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville) led the Wildcats in shots with seven.
Herczeg is already ahead of her goal-scoring pace from her freshman season. She scored three goals in 2006, but her first didn't come until Big Ten play -- coincidentally, a double overtime game-winning goal against Ohio State.
"Getting a win in OT this early in the season is a huge feat and every single player on our team had a hand in it," Erickson said."
Greene, who assisted on the goal to pick up her first collegiate point, also had two shots for the Wildcats off the bench. The 'Cats had a 16-13 advantage in shots and took two corner kicks.
The Wildcats next travel to Lincoln, Neb., to face the Cornhuskers at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. The 'Cats will not play their first home game until September 12 against Loyola (Chicago).