EVANSTON, Ill. -- The No. 19 Wildcats six-game unbeaten streak came to an end in a hard-fought 1-0 loss to the reigning national champion and No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish on a rainy Tuesday night in South Bend.
Senior goalkeeper Tyler Miller made three saves in the match behind a Northwestern defense that entered the contest ranked eighth in the nation in GAA.
The home side was finally able to solve the `Cats netminder in the 65th minute, but it took a penalty kick to do it. Nathan Dearth tried to stop an Irish breakaway with a slide tackle in the box, one that earned him a yellow card and gave the Irish an opportunity from the spot.
Notre Dame's Patrick Hodan converted on the PK, despite Miller guessing correctly. The shot slotted into the bottom right-hand corner, just beyond the netminder's outstretched hand.
One of the Wildcats best scoring chances came on a free kick outside the box by Eric Weberman. The senior smashed a left-footed firecracker that bounced off the right post of Notre Dame's net. In the waning seconds of the game, senior Grant Wilson had one final opportunity for the `Cats, a low, driven shot that was snagged by the Irish keeper, sealing the 1-0 win for the home team and handing Northwestern its first defeat since Sept. 14.
Over the Wildcats last seven outings, dating back to Sept. 17, Tyler Miller has surrendered only four goals and three have come from the penalty spot. Northwestern's all-time leader in shutouts (34) has helped lead the `Cats to a 4-1-2 mark during that stretch and a surge to No. 19 in both the NSCAA and College Soccer News polls.
No. 19 Northwestern will continue their long road swing on Saturday, when they travel to Piscataway, New Jersey to take on Big Ten newcomer Rutgers at 6 p.m. CT in a Conference matchup.
Senior goalkeeper Tyler Miller made three saves in the match behind a Northwestern defense that entered the contest ranked eighth in the nation in GAA.
The home side was finally able to solve the `Cats netminder in the 65th minute, but it took a penalty kick to do it. Nathan Dearth tried to stop an Irish breakaway with a slide tackle in the box, one that earned him a yellow card and gave the Irish an opportunity from the spot.
Notre Dame's Patrick Hodan converted on the PK, despite Miller guessing correctly. The shot slotted into the bottom right-hand corner, just beyond the netminder's outstretched hand.
One of the Wildcats best scoring chances came on a free kick outside the box by Eric Weberman. The senior smashed a left-footed firecracker that bounced off the right post of Notre Dame's net. In the waning seconds of the game, senior Grant Wilson had one final opportunity for the `Cats, a low, driven shot that was snagged by the Irish keeper, sealing the 1-0 win for the home team and handing Northwestern its first defeat since Sept. 14.
Over the Wildcats last seven outings, dating back to Sept. 17, Tyler Miller has surrendered only four goals and three have come from the penalty spot. Northwestern's all-time leader in shutouts (34) has helped lead the `Cats to a 4-1-2 mark during that stretch and a surge to No. 19 in both the NSCAA and College Soccer News polls.
No. 19 Northwestern will continue their long road swing on Saturday, when they travel to Piscataway, New Jersey to take on Big Ten newcomer Rutgers at 6 p.m. CT in a Conference matchup.