Oct. 10, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern, ranked second in this week's NSCAA poll, tries for its first true road win of the season Sunday as it travels to Wisconsin for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The ranking is the Wildcats' best in school history. NU has posted a pair of scoreless ties in its first two matches this season on an opponent's home field, drawing at Lafayette Sept. 7 and at then-No. 11 Saint Louis Sept. 30.
Live stats for the match against the Badgers can be accessed via NUsports.com.
Scouting Wisconsin
The Badgers (5-4-2, 0-2-1 Big Ten) are coming off a 4-0 home win Wednesday over in-state foe Milwaukee. The victory snapped a five-match winless skid. Junior Scott Lorenz paced Wisconsin with two goals in the contest and leads the team with five overall tallies and 11 points. In goal, Alex Horwath sports a 1.05 goals-against average and a .803 save percentage. Late fouls have haunted UW, as a penalty kick against Michigan State resulted in a 1-0 loss, while another in the final minute of play against Michigan forced a 1-1 draw. Head coach Jeff Rohrman sports a 57-60-11 record in seven seasons at the helm of the Badgers.
Series Information
Wisconsin leads the all-time series with Northwestern by a 21-6-4 margin. However, the Wildcats won both meetings a year ago, topping the Badgers 3-0 during a regular-season meeting in Evanston and then posting a 3-1 victory in the opening round of the Big Ten tournament in East Lansing, Mich.
Looking Back on Penn State
Northwestern improved to 2-0-0 in Big Ten play for the first time ever as it defeated Penn State 2-1 Saturday, Oct. 4 at Lakeside Field. Carl Pett gave NU the lead in the 42nd minute of play as he headed home a cross from freshman Peter O'Neill. The Nittany Lions would knot the score early in the second half before the Wildcats recorded the game-winner at 55:34. Pat Coleman perfectly lofted a long service over the top of the Penn State defense to Matt Eliason who blasted home his ninth goal of the season and fifth game-winner. Misha Rosenthal made a season-high six saves to earn the win.
So Far, So Good
Northwestern's 9-0-2 record mark's the program's top start to a season in school history. The previous best for the number of matches to open a campaign without a loss was eight. The 2007 squad had a 7-0-1 mark before falling to Penn State 2-1. The Wildcats moved up one spot to No. 2 in this week's NSCAA poll, marking the program's highest ranking ever. NU's previous high ranking was No. 3, achieved in 2007. The 'Cats are also the top-ranked team in the Great Lakes Region and are No. 7 in the RPI which was released by the NCAA for the first time this week.
The Defense Never Rests
Many of the great all-time defenses have had nicknames associated with them. The Pittsburgh Steelers were known as the Steel Curtain. The Los Angeles Rams had the Fearsome Foursome. Perhaps this year's Northwestern team could be the Purple People Eaters. Nevermind, that one's already claimed by the Minnesota Vikings. Nonetheless, opposing teams have found it difficult to score on the Wildcats this season. Through 11 matches, NU has already posted nine shutouts which matches the school record for shutouts in a season originally set by last year's squad. Before Penn State scored a goal early in the second half Oct. 4, the 'Cats had gone an amazing 805 minutes and 30 seconds without allowing the opposition on the scoreboard. The stretch spanned nine matches and included a program-best seven straight shutouts. Northwestern was first in the nation with a 0.17 GAA entering the week.