DeKALB, Ill. -- Senior Eric Weberman and freshman Sam Forsgren netted their first goals of the 2014 campaign, and Tyler Miller made four saves to record his seventh shutout, to propel the Wildcats to a 2-0 road victory over Northern Illinois on Wednesday night.
For the opening 45 minutes, most of the play was in midfield as the two clubs felt one another out. Late in the first half however, the visitors broke through. Eric Webermangathered a pass from Connor Holloway and let loose a shot from 20+ yards that eluded the reach of the Huskies goalkeeper and found the back of the net in the upper-left corner. It was the first goal of the season for the senior from Farmington Hills, Mich., and the sixth of his college career.
In the second half, with the one-goal advantage on the board, Northwestern steadily controlled more of the possession. But when the home side was able to wrest that away, netminder Tyler Miller was ready to be the last line of defense. The senior from Woodbury, N.J., denied the Huskies Len Heinsohn in the 51st minute, and stoned Andrew Palumbo on a good chance in the 66th. Miller finished with four saves to record his seventh shutout of the season, and the program-record 34th of his Northwestern career.
In the 80th minute, a pair of rookies put the game on ice, against the run of play. Freshman Elo Ozumba put a ball on the foot of classmate Sam Forsgren who finished from in tight near the goal to give the Wildcats a 2-0 advantage. The goal was the first of Forsgren's college career, and hopefully a glimpse of things to come. As head coach Tim Lenahan said of the Minnesota native on signing day: "Every time we watch him play he scores goals. He has a grit and bite to him that will make him very effective in a league as demanding as the Big Ten."
With the win, Northwestern improved to 4-0-2 in their last six matches, and 6-1-4 overall on the season.
Wednesday's match was the first of five straight away from home for the Wildcats. Northwestern will be in action next on Tuesday, Oct. 14 when they visit the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend. Coach Lenahan's club returns to Lakeside Field on Sunday, Nov. 2, to host the Penn State Nittany Lions.
For the opening 45 minutes, most of the play was in midfield as the two clubs felt one another out. Late in the first half however, the visitors broke through. Eric Webermangathered a pass from Connor Holloway and let loose a shot from 20+ yards that eluded the reach of the Huskies goalkeeper and found the back of the net in the upper-left corner. It was the first goal of the season for the senior from Farmington Hills, Mich., and the sixth of his college career.
In the second half, with the one-goal advantage on the board, Northwestern steadily controlled more of the possession. But when the home side was able to wrest that away, netminder Tyler Miller was ready to be the last line of defense. The senior from Woodbury, N.J., denied the Huskies Len Heinsohn in the 51st minute, and stoned Andrew Palumbo on a good chance in the 66th. Miller finished with four saves to record his seventh shutout of the season, and the program-record 34th of his Northwestern career.
In the 80th minute, a pair of rookies put the game on ice, against the run of play. Freshman Elo Ozumba put a ball on the foot of classmate Sam Forsgren who finished from in tight near the goal to give the Wildcats a 2-0 advantage. The goal was the first of Forsgren's college career, and hopefully a glimpse of things to come. As head coach Tim Lenahan said of the Minnesota native on signing day: "Every time we watch him play he scores goals. He has a grit and bite to him that will make him very effective in a league as demanding as the Big Ten."
With the win, Northwestern improved to 4-0-2 in their last six matches, and 6-1-4 overall on the season.
Wednesday's match was the first of five straight away from home for the Wildcats. Northwestern will be in action next on Tuesday, Oct. 14 when they visit the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend. Coach Lenahan's club returns to Lakeside Field on Sunday, Nov. 2, to host the Penn State Nittany Lions.