By: Daniel Hersh
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The final homestand of the season is finally here, and the final two games could not be more important for the No. 20 Wildcats (7-3-5) who take on No. 16 Penn State (11-3-1) Sunday on Senior Day.
Head coach Tim Lenahan's Wildcats will recognize a 10-man senior class that is one of the most accomplished in Northwestern soccer history. The group made three NCAA Tournament appearances, averaged more than ten wins per seasons, and their four-year Big Ten winning percentage of nearly 60% stands as one of the best in program history. Included in those victories is the Double Big Ten Championship in 2011 as the 'Cats won both the Regular Season and Tournament titles for the first time in school history, which was followed by a second consecutive regular-season crown and an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen.
Coming off a six-game, month-long road trip, the 'Cats will face the Big Ten-leading Nittany Lions Sunday in a game that will help determine seeding for the Big Ten Tournament, which begins next weekend. Penn State's once-significant Big Ten Conference lead has dwindled to just a game's difference as they have lost three of their last four matches.
The one game in that stretch that they didn't lose was a double overtime victory over Wisconsin, which currently sits at last place in the Big Ten with a 0-6-0 conference record. The 'Cats will wrap up the regular-season on Wednesday evening at Lakeside Field against the Badgers.
During that four-game span, Penn State has allowed nine goals. Juniors Cole Missimo and Joey Calistri, who lead the team with five and four goals, respectively, will look to exploit their opponent's struggling defense.
After this game, the 'Cats will take on Wisconsin at home to end their regular season. Currently sitting in sixth place in the Big Ten, the 'Cats next two matches will determine their seeding for the Conference tournament, which could translate into home-field advantage for at least the first round of play.
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