Sept. 19, 2008
Box Score
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Drew Ratner is known as a heady player. He lived up to that billing Friday night at Lakeside Field. Northwestern's senior defender headed away a potential tally at the goalline early in the second half and then scored the game-winner on a header in the 83rd minute as ninth-ranked Northwestern battled past Loyola Marymount 1-0.
The victory allowed the Wildcats to remain undefeated on the season, improving to 6-0-1. The Lions, who were playing their fifth ranked opponent in as many matches, saw their record fall to 1-2-2.
Playing in front of a huge crowd of 1262 fans, NU nearly took a lead just under three minutes into the contest. However, Matt Eliason's header at the back post clanged off the pipe.
Quality scoring changes proved to be few and far between for either team the remainder of the opening half as neither squad had much success connecting for opportunities. Northwestern and LMU each finished with four shots over the opening 45 minutes of play.
The Lions had their best opportunity of the match just over one minute into the second stanza after the Wildcats were called for a foul just outside the top of the box. The ensuing direct free kick eluded NU keeper Misha Rosenthal, but Ratner was positioned in the right place at the right time as he headed away the potential go-ahead score at the goalline.
Chances the rest of way were again minimal with both defenses dominating. But the Wildcats got the opportunity they needed with just under eight minutes left in regulation when they earned a corner kick. Sophomore Piero Bellizzi served a perfect ball into the box where Ratner was waiting to head home the match's lone tally past LMU keeper Patrick Sampson.
Northwestern's defense, which posted its sixth shutout of the season and has allowed only one goal all year, made the tally hold up the rest of the way.
Rosenthal earned his 16th career shutout in the win, tying him with George Kokodynski (1987-90) for the school record.
The Wildcats return to action at noon Sunday when they host Princeton at Lakeside Field.