Nov. 7, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -
No. 8 Northwestern saw No. 23 Indiana score a pair of first-half goals and then hold on the rest of the way as the Wildcats dropped a 2-0 decision in their regular season finale at Armstrong Stadium Friday evening.
NU saw its record fall to 12-3-2 overall and 3-3-0 in the Big Ten, while the Hoosiers improve to 10-5-3 and 3-3-0.
With starting goalkeeper Misha Rosenthal sidelined due to injury, redshirt freshman Drew Kotler got his first career start between the pipes. His first big test came just over four minutes into the match when Will Bruin played a through ball beyond the back line of the NU defense, but Kotler came out of the cage to make a diving save just beyond the six-yard box.
However, the hosts eventually cashed in at 25:34 when Indiana earned a corner kick and Andy Adlard served a perfect ball into the box for Bruin who headed it home to make it 1-0.
The Hoosiers' lead grew to 2-0 with just over seven minutes remaining in the half. Adlard's initial shot was saved by Kotler, but the rebound came to John Mellencamp who tallied his second goal of the season.
Despite having the wind at their backs in the first half, Northwestern was out-shot 10-2 over the opening 45 minutes of play.
The Wildcats were able to hold Indiana in check in the second half but were unable to get on the board to chip away at the deficit. NU's best chance came with about 25 minutes remaining when Tyler Voigt broke free beyond Indiana's defense, but Chay Cain made a diving save and the rebound shot was blocked.
The Hoosiers' 20 shots in the match were the most by a Northwestern opponent this season. The Wildcats managed eight shots in the contest. Kotler made six saves for NU, while Cain had three to earn the shutout for IU.
Northwestern opens play at the 2008 Big Ten Men's Soccer Tournament next Thursday in Madison, Wis., with the time and opponent still to be determined.