Dec. 2, 2010
Sometimes one win can change everything. A signature victory can reshape the course of a program, attract national attention and boost a team's profile. Northwestern women's soccer may well have achieved that signature win in 2010 when the Wildcats knocked off #3 UCLA.
The win over the Bruins - the highest-ranked opponent Northwestern has defeated in the history of the program - propelled the Wildcats into the national rankings. Soccer America ranked NU 14th in the nation the following week and Northwestern also received votes in the NSCAA Top 25 poll, marking the first time since 1998 that the program had been nationally ranked.
While Northwestern wasn't able to hold the early momentum over the course of the season, there were a number of individual milestones achieved in 2010 that made for a memorable year.
"Although we are disappointed with our record this year, we are proud of and excited about our progress," said fifth-year head coach Stephanie Foster said at the conclusion of the season. "While playing the most competitive schedule in school history, we were competitive in every game and won a historic one in beating #3 ranked UCLA. We rivaled a program best in the season's goals against average and our attack is extremely promising with a great mix of veteran and young talent."
Senior goalkeeper Carolyn Edwards headlined the individual achievements, closing out her prolific career by leaving her name all over the Northwestern record book. Edwards posted a 1.15 goals-against average in her third year as a starter, good for the fifth-best season mark in school history, and brought her career GAA mark down to 1.26 (second best in NU history). Edwards also ranks second all-time in career minutes played and third in saves and shutouts.
In conference play, Edwards was even better. A native of nearby Lincolnshire, Ill., Edwards finishes her career as Northwestern's all-time leader in Big Ten goals-against average and tied for first in conference shutouts. She was named Northwestern's defensive MVP for the 2010 season.
The emergence of freshman Kate Allen as an offensive threat helped Northwestern run out to a quick start in nonconference play. Allen scored both goals in a season-opening 2-1 win over DePaul, becoming the first player in school history to score twice in her debut game. Allen finished the season with six goals (including three game-winners, the second most by a freshman in school history) and an assist to lead the team with 13 points. She was named to the 2010 Big Ten All-Freshman Team and also set a school record for quickest response goal when she scored just 16 seconds after an Indiana goal in September. Allen earned offensive MVP honors for Northwestern.
Senior Sam Greene also moved up the career record book in 2010, finishing her career tied for third all-time with 16 career assists.
Once again the Wildcats faced a daunting slate of opponents in 2010, playing nine matches against teams that ultimately qualified for the 2010 NCAA Championships.
"We have already started to attack the 2011 season and look forward to welcoming a very talented group of newcomers in August," Stephanie Foster said. "Our seniors will be sincerely missed and have contributed an awesome legacy to the culture of this program."
Northwestern also continued to excel in the classroom during the 2010 season, with a program-record 15 players earning Academic All-Big Ten honors. Junior Caroline Dagley also earned ESPN Academic All-District Second Team honors. A complete list of 2010 Northwestern award winners follows below.
Big Ten All-Freshman Team
Kate Allen
Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
Colleen Antas
2010 Northwestern Women's Soccer Team Awards
Offensive MVP: Kate Allen
Defenisve MVP: Carolyn Edwards
Gift of Fury: Jennifer Baumann
Most Improved: Ally Arca
Coaches' Award: Emily Langston
Academic All-Big Ten
Colleen Antas
Ally Arca
Jennifer Baumann
Kelsey Bertamus
Casey Blaha
Caroline Dagley
Katie Doyle
Nicole Duller
Carolyn Edwards
Meredith Finsand
Sam Greene
Leigh Jakes
Emily Langston
Sarah Sroka
Grace Weitz
ESPN Academic All-District Second Team
Caroline Dagley