IOWA CITY, Iowa – Northwestern pulled off the upset on the road against Iowa with a golden goal from first-year Danika Austin in the 97th minute.
The Wildcats improved to 4-5-1 on the season and boosted their Big Ten record to 2-1 to close out a three-game road swing to open conference play. The Hawkeyes were 10-1 before today's match and ranked as high as No. 25 in some polls, while receiving the most votes out of any team outside the top 25 in United Soccer Coaches' Poll.
Both of the Wildcat goals came from first-year defenders as Reilly Riggs scored the opener in the first half. The tallies were career-firsts for both Austin and Riggs.
Northwestern returns to Evanston for its Big Ten home opener against Purdue on Thursday. Kickoff against the Boilermakers is set for 7 p.m. at Martin Stadium.
Match Notes
Danika Austin with the walk-off winner! Scenes in Iowa City!
— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) September 29, 2019
How about those 'Cats? ??#B1GCats x #GoCats pic.twitter.com/xuxKqsu4OL
The Wildcats improved to 4-5-1 on the season and boosted their Big Ten record to 2-1 to close out a three-game road swing to open conference play. The Hawkeyes were 10-1 before today's match and ranked as high as No. 25 in some polls, while receiving the most votes out of any team outside the top 25 in United Soccer Coaches' Poll.
Both of the Wildcat goals came from first-year defenders as Reilly Riggs scored the opener in the first half. The tallies were career-firsts for both Austin and Riggs.
Northwestern returns to Evanston for its Big Ten home opener against Purdue on Thursday. Kickoff against the Boilermakers is set for 7 p.m. at Martin Stadium.
Match Notes
- Austin scored the first goal of her career and increased her point total to five on the season after she had already tallied three assists entering today's match. She leads the Wildcats with points this season.
- Austin now has back-to-back games with a point after assisting the winner against Nebraska on Thursday.
- Riggs scored her first collegiate goal in just her second start ever on a header from a corner kick from first year Lily Gilbertson. It was the first assist and point of Gilbertson's career.
Reilly. Riggs. Getting ?? for the header!
— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) September 29, 2019
How about that set piece magic from the first year on the road? The 'Cats lead!
NU 1, Iowa 0#B1GCats x #GoCats pic.twitter.com/8nfagKMs4F
- Sophomore Mackenzie Wood was stellar once again in goal, making eight saves while facing 25 shots. She surpassed the 100-save mark in her career this week, and now has 111.
- It was the first golden goal for Northwestern since Aug. 30, 2018, when current junior Kylie Fisher gave NU a 1-0 win at Missouri.
- Northwestern has spread the offense around this season and has nine goals scored by nine different Wildcats.