Sept. 16, 2011
Box Score
Site: Evanston, Ill. (Lakeside Field)
Score: Northwestern 1, UC Davis 0
Records: NU (2-3-1), UC Davis (2-2-2)
Next NU Event: Sunday, Sept. 18 - vs. Xavier (Lakeside Field), 2 p.m.
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Chris Ritter scored in the 13th minute of play and Northwestern made it stand up the rest of the way as the Wildcats defeated UC Davis 1-0 in their opening contest of the Lakeside Classic Friday evening at Lakeside Field.
In the first match of the Classic, Xavier defeated 13th-ranked Northern Illinois, 2-1 in overtime.
NU recognized Xavier second-year head coach Andy Fleming in pregame ceremonies. Fleming was an assistant coach for the Wildcats from 2007-09, helping guide the team to three NCAA tournament appearances over that span.
The match's lone goal came off a set piece after Northwestern drew a foul approximately 30 yards out. Lepe Seetane took the free kick and following a brief scramble in the box, Ritter cleaned it up and beat Aggies' goalkeeper Omar Zeenni at 12:14 to give the hosts the lead.
Seetane nearly made it 2-0 a little over four minutes later, but his shot was headed off the goal line by a UC Davis defender.
The Wildcats finished the opening 45 minutes of play with a 5-4 advantage in shots.
NU continued to push forward early in the second half as it searched for a key insurance goal. However, the Aggies continually held the Wildcats at bay.
With 10 minutes remaining in regulation, UC Davis put the pressure on Northwestern as it sought the tying score. Meanwhile, after twice surrendering goals in the last three minutes of regulation and another in overtime in their three losses this season, the Wildcats looked to finish strong.
The visitors nearly knotted the score with seven and a half minutes left, but Seetane used every inch of his 5-foot-2 frame to get up at the goal line and head away a shot by Dan Reese.
NU was able to fend off its opponent the rest of the way as freshman goalkeeper Tyler Miller earned his third career shutout. Miller made three saves in the match with the 'Cats finishing with a 12-8 edge in shots.
Northwestern closes out the Lakeside Classic at 2 p.m. Sunday as it faces Xavier, following an 11:30 a.m. match between Northern Illinois and UC Davis.
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