ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Puck Pentenga's goal 2:21 into the first overtime period was the golden goal as Northwestern advanced to Sunday's NCAA quarterfinal round with a 3-2 overtime victory over Louisville at Ocker Field.
With the win, the Wildcats (15-6) move on to face conference foe Michigan with a berth in next Friday's NCAA semifinal round at stake. The Wolverines defeated Syracuse 1-0 in overtime in the first match of the day.
The victory by the 'Cats allowed the Big Ten Conference to comprise half of the NCAA quarterfinal field as Penn State and Maryland also were victorious Saturday.
Northwestern got a first-half goal from Louisville native Elena Curley off a penalty corner at 26:18 to take a 1-0 lead. Sophia Miller and Kirsten Mansfield were credited with assists on the play. NU carried the one-goal advantage into halftime as the 'Cats posted advantages of 10-2 in shots and 4-1 in penalty corners.
However, the Cardinals answered back in the second half, getting a pair of goals off corners from Madison Walsh at 38:41 and another by Minout Mink at 53:18 to take a 2-1 lead.
NU still trailed by a goal with under 10 minutes remaining, but earned a corner and Kirsten Mansfield knocked in a rebound from off the post to tie the match with nine minutes left.
The game eventually went to overtime and again it was a penalty corner that was the difference. Pentenga's blast from the top of the circle beat Ayeisha McFerran, giving Northwestern the dramatic win. Miller and Mansfield picked up assists on the game-winning goal.
The victory improves NU to 4-1 in overtime matches this season. The Wildcats finished the match with a 19-5 advantage in shots and an 11-4 edge in corners.
Northwestern and Michigan will square off at 1 p.m. Central time Sunday with the national semifinal berth on the line.
With the win, the Wildcats (15-6) move on to face conference foe Michigan with a berth in next Friday's NCAA semifinal round at stake. The Wolverines defeated Syracuse 1-0 in overtime in the first match of the day.
The victory by the 'Cats allowed the Big Ten Conference to comprise half of the NCAA quarterfinal field as Penn State and Maryland also were victorious Saturday.
Northwestern got a first-half goal from Louisville native Elena Curley off a penalty corner at 26:18 to take a 1-0 lead. Sophia Miller and Kirsten Mansfield were credited with assists on the play. NU carried the one-goal advantage into halftime as the 'Cats posted advantages of 10-2 in shots and 4-1 in penalty corners.
However, the Cardinals answered back in the second half, getting a pair of goals off corners from Madison Walsh at 38:41 and another by Minout Mink at 53:18 to take a 2-1 lead.
NU still trailed by a goal with under 10 minutes remaining, but earned a corner and Kirsten Mansfield knocked in a rebound from off the post to tie the match with nine minutes left.
The game eventually went to overtime and again it was a penalty corner that was the difference. Pentenga's blast from the top of the circle beat Ayeisha McFerran, giving Northwestern the dramatic win. Miller and Mansfield picked up assists on the game-winning goal.
The victory improves NU to 4-1 in overtime matches this season. The Wildcats finished the match with a 19-5 advantage in shots and an 11-4 edge in corners.
Northwestern and Michigan will square off at 1 p.m. Central time Sunday with the national semifinal berth on the line.