Sept. 9, 2007
Box Score
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Senior Kelsey Hans' (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville) goal in the 30th minute of the Wildcats' 2-1 win over Florida Atlantic Sunday put her in a first-place tie with head coach Stephanie Erickson for NU's all-time career goals record. Sophomore Alicia Herczeg's (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura) tally put the 'Cats on the board and Hans' 29th career goal gave NU a 2-0 lead in the first half.
The win improves Northwestern to 3-1 on the year while Florida Atlantic drops to 1-3. The 'Cats went 2-0 in their trip to Florida with wins over UNC Greensboro and host Florida Atlantic.
After opening the season with four-straight road contests, the 'Cats host Loyola (Chicago) at 4 p.m. Wednesday in their home opener at the new Lakeside Field.
"This was a very good road trip for us, but we are really happy to be coming home," Erickson said. "We did a good job this weekend finding ways to win and finishing off games."
NU put the offensive pressure on the Owls from the start, registering two shots in the first six minutes of the contest. The Wildcats finally broke through in the 21st minute when Herczeg controlled a cross in the middle of the box and tapped it in to the right side of the net. Hans and Krystal Patterson (St. Louis, Mo./Shiloh (Ga.)) collected the assists.
Hans, who notched two shots early in the first half, finally scored her first goal of the season -- and 29th of her career -- at the 29:47 mark. The goal gave NU a 2-0 lead and put Hans in a first-place tie with Erickson for the school's all-time goals record. Junior Laura Janowitsch (Grafton, Wis./Grafton) had the assist. The goal was Herczeg's second of the year and puts her one short of freshman year total of three.
Hans' goal gave her three points for the road trip and a career total of 68 -- five behind Erickson's all-time career mark of 73.
"I'm glad it is set up for Kelsey to break the goals record at home in Evanston," Erickson said.
NU took a 2-0 lead into the half, but FAU closed to 2-1 with a header goal at 47:16. Goalkeeper Lauren Johnston (Denver, Colo./Denver East) and the Wildcat defense denied several Owl opportunities in the second half to keep the Wildcats in the lead. Johnston made a save on a one-v-one opportunity late in the match.
Northwestern and FAU both took eight shots, but the 'Cats again made the most of their opportunities with six of their shots going on goal.
After opening the season with four-straight road games, the 'Cats open the home portion of their schedule at 4 p.m. Wednesday against Loyola (Chicago). It will be first of five-straight home matches for the 'Cats.
FAU Classic All-Tournament Team
Hans, Herczeg, Johnston and Shannon Schneeman (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) were all named to the all-tournament team while Schneeman earned MVP honors.