Oct. 27, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
On the heels of its first loss of the season, the Northwestern men's soccer team looks to get back on the winning track as it makes the short trip to Loyola University Chicago Tuesday evening. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The contest opens a stretch during which the Wildcats play their final three games of the regular season on the road.
Then-No. 21 Michigan dealt the Wildcats (11-1-2, 3-1-0 Big Ten) their first setback Saturday night, a 3-1 decision in NU's regular season home finale. Northwestern has lost consecutive games just twice in the last two seasons. The 'Cats dropped 1-0 decisions at Indiana and UIC in 2006 and wrapped the 2007 season with consecutive defeats, falling to Ohio State 1-0 in the Big Ten Tournament and 2-0 to UIC in the NCAA Tournament.
Northwestern's three Big Ten wins have already tied a school record for most conference wins in a season. The Wildcats went a program-best 3-2-1 in 2004 and again in 2007. Prior to this year, the team had never won more than one Big Ten game to open its conference season. This year, NU won its first three matches against league foes. The squad's 10 shutouts in 2008 are a school record, surpassing the nine amassed last season.
Series History
Northwestern leads 16-5-6, including 6-0-1 under Tim Lenahan. The programs have met every year since the Wildcats began play in the 1980 season with the exception of the 2000 campaign. Last year, Northwestern christened Lakeside Field by holding on for a 1-0 win. Matt Eliason tallied the lone goal of the match just over six minutes into the contest.
Scouting Loyola
The Ramblers (8-4-2, 3-2-1 Horizon League) are in the midst of a challenging portion of their schedule. Loyola battled Horizon League leader Butler to a scoreless draw on the road Friday. The tie followed a 2-0 loss at DePaul and a 1-0 defeat at home to Milwaukee. After taking on the Wildcats, the Ramblers face Green Bay before a contest against nationally ranked UIC. Eric Gehrig and Alex Jones pace Loyola with four goals apiece. Brian Bryne has seen the majority of time in goal this season, sporting a 0.70 goals-against average and a .809 save percentage. Brendan Eitz has a 36-26-10 record in his four seasons as the head coach of the Ramblers.
Looking Back on Michigan
Northwestern was handed its first loss of the season Saturday night as No. 21 Michigan came into Lakeside Field and scored three times in the second half to top the Wildcats 3-1. The three goals allowed matched the total scored by NU's first 13 opponents. Michigan was the first team to tally as Mauro Fuzetti was able to find the back of the net early in the second half. The Wildcats quickly answered as the Wolverines were called for a hand ball in the box and NU was awarded a penalty kick. Brian Usinger stepped up and knocked home the tying goal to make it 1-1. However, Michigan took the lead with just over 11 minutes left on Fuzetti's second goal of the match and Steve Bonnell later tacked on an insurance goal.