ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Tommy Katsiyiannis scored a pair of goals and Mac Mazzola chipped in another to lead No. 8 Northwestern by No. 9 Rutgers, 3-2, in the 2017 Big Ten tournament Saturday afternoon.
The Wildcats will battle top-seeded Michigan on Sunday, Nov. 5 at noon CT.
"I thought we came out really flat and we were very fortunate to be ahead, 1-0, after being badly outplayed," said head coach Tim Lenahan. "I challenged the guys at halftime that a tournament win requires more than we were giving. We responded very well with goals by Mac Mazzola and Tommy Katsiyiannis. Again, full credit to Rutgers for a great comeback. For now it's about getting recovery, massages and proper nutrition to get ready to play the Big Ten champions tomorrow. I am looking forward to it."
Sophomores Ty Seager and Sean Lynch each recorded an assist, while Robbie White racked up five saves in the effort.
Katsiyiannis and the 'Cats struck first on the afternoon, scoring in the 33rd minute when the rookie midfielder put a shot from the left side that got by the fingertips of Rutgers' keeper.
Northwestern took a 1-0 lead into the break.
Seager played a ball down the left flank to Mazzola in the 49th minute, who took it and finished to the lower right corner to put Northwestern up, 2-0. The goal was Mazzola's fourth of the season.
Katsiyiannis netted his second goal of the contest in the 64th minute on a flick from 10 yard out that put the Wildcats in front, 3-0. Lynch was credited with an assist on the play. The goal was his sixth on the season and fourth against Rutgers this year.
The Scarlet Knights attempted a comeback by scoring a pair of late goals in the 64th and 79th minute, but it was not enough as Northwestern held on for a 3-2 victory.
Northwestern and Michigan met on Sept. 24 in Ann Arbor, and the Wolverines came out with a 3-1 victory. Lynch scored the Wildcats' lone goal.
The Wildcats will battle top-seeded Michigan on Sunday, Nov. 5 at noon CT.
"I thought we came out really flat and we were very fortunate to be ahead, 1-0, after being badly outplayed," said head coach Tim Lenahan. "I challenged the guys at halftime that a tournament win requires more than we were giving. We responded very well with goals by Mac Mazzola and Tommy Katsiyiannis. Again, full credit to Rutgers for a great comeback. For now it's about getting recovery, massages and proper nutrition to get ready to play the Big Ten champions tomorrow. I am looking forward to it."
Sophomores Ty Seager and Sean Lynch each recorded an assist, while Robbie White racked up five saves in the effort.
Katsiyiannis and the 'Cats struck first on the afternoon, scoring in the 33rd minute when the rookie midfielder put a shot from the left side that got by the fingertips of Rutgers' keeper.
Northwestern took a 1-0 lead into the break.
Seager played a ball down the left flank to Mazzola in the 49th minute, who took it and finished to the lower right corner to put Northwestern up, 2-0. The goal was Mazzola's fourth of the season.
Katsiyiannis netted his second goal of the contest in the 64th minute on a flick from 10 yard out that put the Wildcats in front, 3-0. Lynch was credited with an assist on the play. The goal was his sixth on the season and fourth against Rutgers this year.
The Scarlet Knights attempted a comeback by scoring a pair of late goals in the 64th and 79th minute, but it was not enough as Northwestern held on for a 3-2 victory.
Northwestern and Michigan met on Sept. 24 in Ann Arbor, and the Wolverines came out with a 3-1 victory. Lynch scored the Wildcats' lone goal.