Oct. 6, 2010

Box Score

Site: Evanston, Ill. (Lakeside Field)
Score: Northwestern 3, DePaul 2
Records: NU (5-4-1, 0-1-0 Big Ten), DePaul (3-6-2, 0-2-0 Big East)
Next NU Event: Sunday, Oct. 10 -- vs. Ohio State (Lakeside Field), Noon
Tickets are on sale at Lakeside Field prior to the match

EVANSTON, Ill. - Sophomores John Rogers and Kyle Schickel and freshman Layth Masri each notched their first collegiate goals in the second half as Northwestern posted an entertaining 3-2 win over local rival DePaul Wednesday evening at Lakeside Field.

The somewhat unlikely trio helped the Wildcats break out of a scoring slump as they had posted just two goals in their previous four matches combined.

The action was extremely limited for both teams in the opening half of play as each squad managed just one shot over the first 45 minutes. For DePaul, though, one shot was all that it needed to get on the scoreboard. A cross from the right flank by Art Garza found the head of a streaking Alex Mangan for a goal at the 35:17 mark to give the visitors the lead.

Following a halftime talk from head coach Tim Lenahan, Northwestern came to life early in the second half. The Wildcats earned a corner kick less than two minutes into the period and Reed Losee's service connected with Schickel for a header at the back post to tie the game 1-1.

NU surged in front at 59:18 thanks to Rogers, who was making his first collegiate start. The sophomore was appearing in just his fourth match of the season, but he beat DePaul keeper Joe Ferrari for a goal from 12 yards out off assists from Jarrett Baughman and Matt Eliason to give the Wildcats the lead.

However, the Blue Demons had the answer at 65:46 as Antonio Aguilar split a pair of Wildcat defenders at the top of the 18-yard box and put a shot into the upper corner to help DePaul draw back to even.

With the minutes winding down in regulation, Masri was able to get into the act as well, notching the game-winner. The midfielder took a feed from Eliason and ripped a blast that deflected in off the right post to give Northwestern the lead for good at 84:03.

The Wildcats finished with a 9-4 edge in shots, with three of their four shots on goal finding the back of the net. NU also had a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Coupled with a win over Missouri State last Sunday, the two victories give Northwestern confidence heading into a huge Big Ten home match against 15th-ranked Ohio State on Sunday. Kickoff is set for noon and tickets are available at Lakeside Field prior to the contest. The match is also being televised by Big Ten Network to be shown later that day at 4 p.m.

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