EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern dropped a 2-1 result against Cincinnati at Martin Stadium on Sunday afternoon despite a first half goal from Kayla Sharples.
The 'Cats dropped to 2-2-1 on the season. The loss was the first at Martin Stadium for head coach Michael Moynihan's squad since since Oct. 12, 2014.
Cincinnati prevailed with two goals from Julie Gavorski, with Northwestern's lone tally from the junior center back Sharples. The Wildcats outshot the visitors, 14-12.
Both teams clawed for the lead in an action-packed first half and Northwestern came the closest off a corner kick in the 15th minute. Michele Chernesky rose high for a header but her effort clanked off the bar only for Cincinnati goalkeeper Jane Sensibaugh to make the save.
The Wildcats broke through first in the 41st minute with a set piece on the left side. Marisa Viggiano whipped in a dangerous ball to the near post, and Sharples rose up and looped a header to the far post to make it 1-0. The goal was her second of the season.
The Bearcats equalized just after halftime in the 52nd minute. Gavorski found a pocket of space 25 yards from goal and fired an unstoppable blast to the upper left corner to make it 1-1.
Northwestern had two chances in a row to retake the lead with 17 minutes left to play. Aspyn Repp found herself open at the back post but her header went straight to the hands of Sensibaugh. Just a few seconds later Mackenzie Howe had a chance from six yards out but her shot fizzled just wide.
Cincinnati scored the winner in the 78th minute when a cross from Sophie Gorman found Julie Gavorski in the box who turned it home. Gavorksi picked up the second goal of the match and her third of the season to make it 2-1.
Goalkeeper Lauren Clem made five saves on the afternoon on the 12 shots faced.
The Wildcats are back in action two more times in the coming week at Martin Stadium with a 7 p.m. kickoff Thursday evening against Missouri and a 1 p.m. kickoff Sunday afternoon against Pepperdine.
The 'Cats dropped to 2-2-1 on the season. The loss was the first at Martin Stadium for head coach Michael Moynihan's squad since since Oct. 12, 2014.
Cincinnati prevailed with two goals from Julie Gavorski, with Northwestern's lone tally from the junior center back Sharples. The Wildcats outshot the visitors, 14-12.
Both teams clawed for the lead in an action-packed first half and Northwestern came the closest off a corner kick in the 15th minute. Michele Chernesky rose high for a header but her effort clanked off the bar only for Cincinnati goalkeeper Jane Sensibaugh to make the save.
The Wildcats broke through first in the 41st minute with a set piece on the left side. Marisa Viggiano whipped in a dangerous ball to the near post, and Sharples rose up and looped a header to the far post to make it 1-0. The goal was her second of the season.
The Bearcats equalized just after halftime in the 52nd minute. Gavorski found a pocket of space 25 yards from goal and fired an unstoppable blast to the upper left corner to make it 1-1.
Northwestern had two chances in a row to retake the lead with 17 minutes left to play. Aspyn Repp found herself open at the back post but her header went straight to the hands of Sensibaugh. Just a few seconds later Mackenzie Howe had a chance from six yards out but her shot fizzled just wide.
Cincinnati scored the winner in the 78th minute when a cross from Sophie Gorman found Julie Gavorski in the box who turned it home. Gavorksi picked up the second goal of the match and her third of the season to make it 2-1.
Goalkeeper Lauren Clem made five saves on the afternoon on the 12 shots faced.
The Wildcats are back in action two more times in the coming week at Martin Stadium with a 7 p.m. kickoff Thursday evening against Missouri and a 1 p.m. kickoff Sunday afternoon against Pepperdine.