Sept. 17, 2009
NU Lakeside Classic Game Notes (PDF)
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern, ranked No. 25 in this week's NSCAA poll, returns home to host its annual Lakeside Classic this weekend. The Wildcats face South Carolina at 7:30 p.m. Friday after Northern Illinois and Lafayette meet up at 5 p.m. After the match between NIU and South Carolina at noon Sunday, Northwestern and Lafayette square off at 2:30 p.m.
Gametracker is available for every tournament match and a live video stream for both NU matches can be accessed via NUsports.com.
Friday night's festivities are presented by American Airlines. All fans will receive a special discounted rate of admission of only $4. Special games and contests will be held throughout the match giving fans the opportunity to win great prizes courtesy of Northwestern Wildcat sponsors, American Airlines, Lou Malnati's Pizza and Dick's Sporting Goods.
Fans are invited to remain following the conclusion of the NU/South Carolina match for a spectacular fireworks display out over Lake Michigan set to a musical soundtrack.
Be sure to check out a video preview of the Classic on the front page of NUsports.com or on the Men's Soccer front page.
Scouting South Carolina
The Gamecocks (3-1-0) enter play this weekend having allowed just two goals through their first four matches this season. Junior goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer sports a 0.50 goals-against average with a pair of shutouts to his credit. Junior forward Sam Arthur paces South Carolina offensively with a pair of goals and an assist. USC went 8-6-5 a year ago, including a 2-2-4 mark in Conference USA play.
Scouting Lafayette
Similar to South Carolina, Lafayette has relied on a strong defense in getting off to a 4-0-1 start. The Leopards have surrendered only one goal with goalkeeper Philip Nelson sporting a miniscule 0.19 GAA. Sean Peckham and B.J. Glenn pace Lafayette's attack with two goals apiece. The team posted an 8-6-5 record in 2008, including 3-2-3 against Patriot League competition.
Series Information
South Carolina defeated Northwestern 3-1 Sept. 7, 2003 in Charleston, S.C., in the only previous meeting between the schools. NU is 0-0-1 against Lafayette, playing the Leopards to a scoreless tie on their home field Sept. 7 of last season.
Wildcats Win adidas/Magnuson Inn and Suites Invitational
Behind four goals by Matt Eliason, Northwestern captured the title at the adidas/Magnuson Inn and Suites Invitational hosted by Northern Illinois University last weekend. Both of NU's wins came against teams that appeared in last year's NCAA tournament. Eliason scored twice in the first half Friday against Oakland as the Wildcats held on for a 2-1 victory. The junior forward then got the game-winner with 1:19 remaining in the first overtime Sunday in NU's 3-2 win over No. 21 Tulsa. Piero Bellizzi also notched a goal for Northwestern. Oliver Kupe assisted in both games to raise his Big Ten-leading total to five. Eliason's seven goals are also tops in the conference. For his efforts, he was named the tournament's MVP, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and Top Drawer Soccer's National Player of the Week. Eliason has goals in all four of the team's matches this season, including three multi-goal games. His 24 career goals are just six shy of the school's all-time record. Bellizzi, Kupe and Lucas Swertloff--who assisted on Sunday's winning score--joined Eliason on the all-tournament team.
Looking Ahead
Northwestern plays a pair of home contests next weekend, facing Drake at 5 p.m. Friday before taking on SIU Edwardsville at 1 p.m. Sunday.