Oct. 31, 2010
Box Score
Site: Bloomington, Ind. (Bill Armstrong Stadium)
Score: No. 25, Indiana 3, Northwestern 2
Records: NU (8-6-2, 2-2-1 Big Ten), Indiana (9-5-2, 3-0-1 Big Ten)
Next NU Event: Saturday, Nov. 6 -- vs. Michigan (Lakeside Field), 5 p.m.
Tickets available on site prior to the match
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Freshman Connor Holloway scored his first career goal and junior Oliver Kupe notched his eighth of the season, but Northwestern was unable to hold a two-goal second-half lead in falling to No. 25 Indiana 3-2 Sunday afternoon at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
Matt Eliason posted an assist in the contest to become the school's all-time leader in career points.
The Wildcats entered the match with an opportunity to tie the Hoosiers atop the Big Ten standings with a win, but Indiana's rally helped it secure its 14th regular-season conference title.
Both teams had a number of close calls in the first half before NU got on the board first at the 40:57 mark. Eliason's long throw-in reached the box where Cody Stanley flicked it to Holloway who headed it past IU keeper Nate Mitchell.
The assist raised Eliason's career point total to 81, moving him past Jonathan Hall (1983-86) and Gerardo Alvarez (2003-06) who each held the previous record of 80. Earlier this season, Eliason became Northwestern's career leader in goals scored.
Both teams finished the opening 45 minutes of play with seven shots, with six of the Wildcats' attempts ending up on target.
Northwestern wasted no time at all in extending its lead in the second half. Following the kickoff, Jack Hillgard played a long ball over the top to Kupe who beat Mitchell for his team-leading eighth goal just 17 seconds into the stanza.
However, the hosts refused to go away. Andy Adlard played a service to Will Bruin who juggled the ball while eluding a pair of defenders and then finishing it to get the Hoosiers within one at 52:29.
Bruin, one of the nation's most prolific goal-scorers, struck again at 61:30 as he slipped one past Jonathan Harris to the far post for his 15th tally of the season to tie the score.
Indiana got the game-winner with just over 10 minutes remaining when Joe Tolen found himself alone from 20 yards out and blasted a shot into the upper 90 to give IU the lead for good.
Eliason nearly tied the match with three minutes remaining, but Mitchell made a diving stop on the senior forward's rocket to turn the Wildcats away.
Northwestern finished with a 7-5 advantage in corner kicks, while Indiana had a 16-10 edge in shots.
The Wildcats conclude their regular season at 5 p.m. Saturday when the host Michigan on Senior Night at Lakeside Field. Tickets are available for purchase on site prior to the contest.
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook! and subscribe to the NU Sports Express e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and video and to interact with NU. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!