Box Score
By: Evan Rosati
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Sophomore Addie Steiner scored her team-leading tenth goal of the season as Northwestern earned a 1-1 draw with No. 26 Michigan on Friday night at Lakeside Field.
The Wildcats started the match with a defense that was unforgiving, holding the Wolverines without a shot during the first 25 minutes of play. Conversely, the `Cats offense was aggressive early in the half, continuing a trend of the last several matches. Junior midfielder Niki Sebo had a riveting header that was barely stopped by Michigan goalkeeper Megan Hinz, and sophomore Kim Jerantowksi had a gorgeous shot opportunity that sailed just wide of the goal. Northwestern had four corner kicks in the first half that offered multiple opportunities to score, but the `Cats could not solidify a goal and the score remained tied 0-0 at halftime.
The Wolverines came out in force during the start of the second half, but the `Cats were able to slow the visitors and regain dominance of the pitch.
In the 84th minute, the home team was rewarded for their attacking mindset. Senior Georgia Waddle played a short corner kick to Sebo, who lofted a cross into the box. The ball deflected 15 yards from goal, and bounced waist-high to Addie Stiener. The sophomore hit it on the hop with her first touch, and buried the shot into the upper corner to give the `Cats the lead.
But the Wolverines displayed the resolve that has driven them into the Big Ten's Top-4 and the nation's Top-25 this year. The visitors capitalized on their own corner kick with less than a minute remaining on the clock. A shot richoched off Michigan's Maddison Lewis and past the outstretched hand of Wildcats keeper Lauren Clem, knotting the game at 1-1 and sending play into overtime.
The overtime battle between Michigan and Northwestern was action packed as both teams pushed each other for attempts at the golden goal. Northwestern appeared to have renewed energy and their aggressive play put extreme pressure on the Wolverines defense, resulting in eight of the home side's 21 total shots in the game coming over the extra two periods. Neither side could find the gamebreaker however, as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Head coach Michael Moynihan's Wildcats remain home at Lakeside Field for the second game of the weekend on Sunday, Oct. 26, when they host the Michigan State Spartans at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at the entrance to Lakeside Field or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
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