NORMAL, Ill. – Northwestern newcomer Madi Kennel scored the first two goals of her career to lead the Wildcats over Illinois State on the road Sunday afternoon, 3-0. Kennel's goal in the 54th minute proved to be the game-winner, as Northwestern won its second straight match by shutout to begin the 2017 season.
The newcomer Kennel, a Redondo Beach, California, native, scored her first career goal early in the second half by gathering the ball in the box off a deflection and shooting left of the goalie and into the back of the net. Her second goal was from a similar position when she fired into the left side-netting in the 78th minute. Both of Kennel's goals were unassisted.
Fellow first year player McKenna Angotti, from Los Altos Hills, California, scored the team's third goal of the match in the 84th minute.
The 23rd-ranked Wildcats are 2-0 after opening weekend.
Northwestern dominated the contest from start to finish, outshooting Illinois State, 18-7, with eight of those shots on goal. The Wildcats' 18 shots were taken by 12 different players, with six players getting off two shots each, four of whom are first year players.
Lauren Clem only had to make one save on her way to her 41st career shutout, as the Northwestern defense kept the Redbirds out of the box for most of the afternoon.
Chicago's Big Ten Team especially dominated the first half despite not scoring, getting off 10 shots, while only allowing one to Illinois State. Eight different Wildcats got shots off in the first 45 minutes, with first year players Kayleigh Stahlschmidt and Nia Harris taking two apiece.
The 'Cats then knocked in three of their eight attempts in the second half to win for the first time in Normal, Illinois.
The Northwestern road trip continues with a West Coast swing to southern California to take on Long Beach State (Aug. 24) and Loyola Marymount (Aug. 27).
The newcomer Kennel, a Redondo Beach, California, native, scored her first career goal early in the second half by gathering the ball in the box off a deflection and shooting left of the goalie and into the back of the net. Her second goal was from a similar position when she fired into the left side-netting in the 78th minute. Both of Kennel's goals were unassisted.
Fellow first year player McKenna Angotti, from Los Altos Hills, California, scored the team's third goal of the match in the 84th minute.
The 23rd-ranked Wildcats are 2-0 after opening weekend.
Northwestern dominated the contest from start to finish, outshooting Illinois State, 18-7, with eight of those shots on goal. The Wildcats' 18 shots were taken by 12 different players, with six players getting off two shots each, four of whom are first year players.
Lauren Clem only had to make one save on her way to her 41st career shutout, as the Northwestern defense kept the Redbirds out of the box for most of the afternoon.
Chicago's Big Ten Team especially dominated the first half despite not scoring, getting off 10 shots, while only allowing one to Illinois State. Eight different Wildcats got shots off in the first 45 minutes, with first year players Kayleigh Stahlschmidt and Nia Harris taking two apiece.
The 'Cats then knocked in three of their eight attempts in the second half to win for the first time in Normal, Illinois.
The Northwestern road trip continues with a West Coast swing to southern California to take on Long Beach State (Aug. 24) and Loyola Marymount (Aug. 27).