COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Four Wildcats scored as the No. 21 Northwestern Wildcats dominated Maryland at Ludwig Field on Sunday afternoon, 4-1.
NU's four goals were the most since the 'Cats defeated Iowa, 4-0, on Oct. 18 last season at Toyota Park.
The Wildcats jumped on the board early with a goal off of a Marisa Viggiano corner kick. Chicago's Big Ten Team did not let up, as the 'Cats added another goal in the 17th minute. Freshmen Maddy Lucas fed a through ball to Kassidy Gorman as the junior shook off a pair of Terrapin defenders and found the back of the net for her third goal of the year.
In the 28th minute, Maria Fayeulle had a quality chance to extend NU's lead, but her attempt hit off the crossbar.
With four minutes remaining in the first half, Mary Erikson sent a cross to Maria Grygleski who sent a one-touch shot to the lower far post. The #B1GCats entered the halftime break with a 3-0 advantage.
The Wildcats did not take their foot off the gas as NU entered the second frame with quick shot from Maddy Lucas just 40 seconds into play.
Despite Northwestern's momentum, Maryland was able to break the deadlock in the 62nd minute after capitalizing on a penalty kick opportunity, but that did not deter the Wildcats' offense. Once again, Viggiano set up a perfectly placed corner for sophomore Kayla Sharples, who sent in NU's fourth goal of the game.
That is the closest the Terps would come as the 'Cats ran away with their 10th win of the year, 4-1.
Chicago's Big Ten Team returns to action next weekend when its travels to Columbus, Ohio, to face Ohio State (RV).