Sept. 21, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern took control of play early on with a barrage of corner kicks and shots in the first half against Saint Louis, but the Billikens were able to neutralize the NU attack and earn a 0-0 result Sunday at Lakeside Field.
The tie was the first of Northwestern's season, putting the Wildcats' record at 5-2-1. SLU now is 3-1-3 on the year.
Both teams spent much of the early going feeling each other out before Northwestern took dominating control of the run of play. The Wildcats earned 10 corner kicks in the half and took seven shots, with two on goal and one presenting a serious scoring threat.
Northwestern's best chance of the first half came in the 20th minute when Laura Janowitsch (Grafton, Wis./Grafton) took a ball at the top right edge of the box and made a quick move to the inside, firing a shot to the far post that SLU keeper Hannah Perry dove to save.
Saint Louis slowed the NU attack in the second half, limiting the Wildcats to four shots, two of which were on goal. The Billikens were able to get their lone shot of regulation off with 20 minutes remaining in the second half, with NU goalkeeper Carolyn Edwards (Lincolnshire, Ill./Stevenson) making a save on the attempt.
In the first overtime period, Northwestern earned a pair of corner kicks but was unable to muster a shot from the situations. Saint Louis fired a bullet on goal from 30 yards out in transition off of one of the corners, but Edwards went up to pluck it out of the sky and keep the game scoreless.
Northwestern again earned a corner early in the second overtime, but it was SLU that picked up the strong scoring chance late in the period. A scrum at the top of the box yielded a strong shot, but it was right at Edwards.
Northwestern finished the game with a 12-4 edge in shots, but NU's lead in the category was 5-4 during the second half and two overtime periods. The Wildcats held a 13-1 edge in corners, 3-1 after halftime. Edwards made three saves to pick up her third shutout of the season.
Northwestern returns to action at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Milwaukee.