By Amit Mallik, Northwestern Athletics
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The Wildcats earned their biggest win of the season on Sunday when they defeated No. 19 ranked Michigan 2-1 with goals from Michele Chernesky and Olivia Korhonen to improve to 12-1-1 overall.
Northwestern turned in a complete team performance as it took down the leaders in the Big Ten and earned its first win over Michigan since 2011.
The all-around effort from the 'Cats began with Lauren Clem who made a career-high 11 saves. Chernesky and Korhonen also became the 13th and 14th players to get on the scoresheet this season for the balanced NU attack.
Michigan opened the game off on the front foot and forced Clem into a tough save in the fourth minute. The junior goalkeeper forced a mistake on a breakaway for Michigan striker Nicky Waldeck a minute later to keep the game scoreless.
The Wildcats broke the deadlock in the 14th minute after Michele Chernesky scored her first goal of the season off a set piece from Nandi Mehta. The cross from Mehta found Marisa Viggiano, and the deflected shot made its way to Chernesky, who finished coolly from ten yards out.
The Wolverines answered six minutes later when the referee called a handball in the box against Hannah Davison. Reilly Martin converted the penalty kick to tie the game at 1-1 in the 20th minute.
Kim Jerantowski had the best chance in the remainder of the first half when she got on the end of a looping cross from Rachel Zampa in the 34th minute. Jerantowski volleyed the ball with her first touch and her shot sailed just inches over the bar.
Northwestern retook the lead three minutes into the second half after sophomore Olivia Korhonen headed home her first goal of the season from point-blank range. Michigan keeper Sarah Jackson misjudged a high cross and Korhonen pounced on the mistake with a leaping header.
The 'Cats fought off the comeback effort by Michigan in a scrappy second half behind their typical strong defending and a career-best performance from Clem. She made a diving catch in traffic on a Michigan free kick in the 82nd minute to foil the visitors' best chance.
Northwestern is back in action on Thursday, Oct. 13, when they travel to Iowa to face the Hawkeyes in another Big Ten matchup.