EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern kicks off the 2018 season with a pair of scrimmages this week against crosstown rivals Loyola and DePaul.
The Wildcats will welcome Loyola to Martin Stadium on Sunday at 4 p.m. and make the short trek to face DePaul on Friday, Aug. 10 at 5 p.m. at Wish Field.
Under head coach Michael Moynihan, Northwestern is coming off of a successful 2017 that featured a second place finish in the Big Ten, a run to the Big Ten Tournament final and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the third season in a row.
The Wildcats return seven starters from last year, including three All-Big Ten selections in seniors Kayla Sharples, Marisa Viggiano and Hannah Davison. Sophomore Regan Steigleder also notched a Big Ten All-Freshman team nod in 2017.
Senior forward Brenna Lovera, who led the team in goals in each of the last two seasons, is expected to lead the front line once more. Senior Nikia Smith, after missing all of 2017 with an injury, reunites with defenders Sharples and Davison to reprise the back line that posted the lowest goals-against-average in the country in 2016.
The 'Cats have added ten first-years to the squad, including goalkeeper Mackenzie Wood and defender Julietta Thron, who both have represented the United States youth international teams.
Chicago's Big Ten Team officially opens its season on Friday, Aug. 17 against Miami of Ohio in Bloomington, Indiana.
The Wildcats will welcome Loyola to Martin Stadium on Sunday at 4 p.m. and make the short trek to face DePaul on Friday, Aug. 10 at 5 p.m. at Wish Field.
Under head coach Michael Moynihan, Northwestern is coming off of a successful 2017 that featured a second place finish in the Big Ten, a run to the Big Ten Tournament final and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the third season in a row.
The Wildcats return seven starters from last year, including three All-Big Ten selections in seniors Kayla Sharples, Marisa Viggiano and Hannah Davison. Sophomore Regan Steigleder also notched a Big Ten All-Freshman team nod in 2017.
Senior forward Brenna Lovera, who led the team in goals in each of the last two seasons, is expected to lead the front line once more. Senior Nikia Smith, after missing all of 2017 with an injury, reunites with defenders Sharples and Davison to reprise the back line that posted the lowest goals-against-average in the country in 2016.
The 'Cats have added ten first-years to the squad, including goalkeeper Mackenzie Wood and defender Julietta Thron, who both have represented the United States youth international teams.
Chicago's Big Ten Team officially opens its season on Friday, Aug. 17 against Miami of Ohio in Bloomington, Indiana.