Sept. 12, 2013

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EVANSTON, Ill. -- No. 12 Northwestern puts its five-game winning streak on the line at Lakeside Field as it takes on California at 1 p.m. Friday and Ohio at noon Sunday.

Sunday is Girl Scout Day at Lakeside Field. Troops are invited to stay after the match to participate in a clinic and autograph session with the players and coaches. All participating scouts will receive a patch. Girl Scouts also will be invited to stand on the field for lineups and to be ball kids during the game.

Since dropping their season-opener at Providence in overtime, the Wildcats have been on a role. Over their last four contests, the 'Cats have surrendered just one goal while notching three shutouts.

Junior goalkeeper Maddy Carpenter leads the Big Ten with a 1.06 goals-against average after leading the league in the category a year ago. She was tabbed the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday after allowing just one combined goal in the team's wins over then-No. 16 Boston University and Miami (Ohio).

Offensively, sophomore Caroline Troncelliti paces the Northwestern attack with five goals and 11 points, while senior Nikki Parsley has four goals and 10 points. NU has out-scored its opponents 18-5 through the first six contests of the season.

The Wildcats went undefeated during a stretch of three games over a four-day span, most recently posting a 3-0 victory at Ball State on Tuesday. NU dominated the contest, out-shooting the Cardinals by a 31-7 margin with Dominique Masters and Tara Puffenberger recording eight shots apiece.

Isabel Flens joined Carpenter in earning conference laurels as she was tabbed the Big Ten Freshman of the Week. The Netherlands native recorded a goal in games against both Boston University and Miami (Ohio).

Scouting California
The Golden Bears (3-1) enters today's contest on the heels of a 1-0 victory over Liberty at home on Sunday. Senior forward Andrea Earle, who leads the team with four goals and is the reigning NorPac West Offensive Player of the Week, score the match's lone goal with eight minutes remaining. Goalkeeper Courtney Hendrickson sports a 1.13 goals-against average for California. Northwestern posted a 1-0 win over Cal in Berkeley Aug. 31, 2012 as Chelsea Armstrong scored the match's lone goal with 42 seconds remaining in regulation.

Scouting Ohio
The Bobcats take a 1-3 record into Saturday's matchup against California. Ohio most recently dropped a 6-2 decision at Louisville on Sunday. Luli Gomez Teruel was named MAC Offensive Player of the Week, notching a goal in a win over William & Mary before tallying two against Louisville. She currently leads the MAC with 10 points. In goal, Brittany Walker has a 5.09 goals-against average. Northwestern edged Ohio 2-1 in Athens Sept. 23, 2012 in the last meeting between the schools.

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