EVANSTON, Ill. – Despite outshooting the Illini on Senior Day, two costly second half bounces handed Northwestern a 2-1 defeat in the regular season finale on Saturday at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium.
Senior Regan Steigleder scored a beauty of a goal on her senior day in the first half on an assist from Josie Aulicino, marking the third goal of her season.
The Wildcats outshot the Illinois 13-9 and forced five saves from the Illini keeper. At 1-1 in the second half, the 'Cats had a litany of chances in the Illinois box including a volley from Aurea Martin that just skied over the net.
Despite Northwestern controlling the second half and looking the more likely team to grab a late winner, a chaotic sequence in the box fell Illinois' waay in the 89th minute and Kendra Pasquale was able to stab home the decisive goal.
The loss dropped Northwestern to 5-6 on the season, but it will have a chance to make the Big Ten Tournament through the Big Ten Regional Weekend which starts on April 8.
The Wildcats will play Purdue at Wisconsin in a knockout match, and with a win, they will face the Badgers, the No. 1 seed in the West, on April 11 for a berth in the Big Ten Tournament, which is a four-team knockout round. Northwestern suffered 1-0 losses to both Purdue and Wisconsin this season.
Senior Regan Steigleder scored a beauty of a goal on her senior day in the first half on an assist from Josie Aulicino, marking the third goal of her season.
Celebrating Senior Day in style ??@ReganSteigleder goes top shelf to put @NUWSoccer out in front!#GoCats pic.twitter.com/5rCpva10VM
— Northwestern Athletics (@NU_Sports) April 3, 2021
The Wildcats outshot the Illinois 13-9 and forced five saves from the Illini keeper. At 1-1 in the second half, the 'Cats had a litany of chances in the Illinois box including a volley from Aurea Martin that just skied over the net.
Despite Northwestern controlling the second half and looking the more likely team to grab a late winner, a chaotic sequence in the box fell Illinois' waay in the 89th minute and Kendra Pasquale was able to stab home the decisive goal.
The loss dropped Northwestern to 5-6 on the season, but it will have a chance to make the Big Ten Tournament through the Big Ten Regional Weekend which starts on April 8.
The Wildcats will play Purdue at Wisconsin in a knockout match, and with a win, they will face the Badgers, the No. 1 seed in the West, on April 11 for a berth in the Big Ten Tournament, which is a four-team knockout round. Northwestern suffered 1-0 losses to both Purdue and Wisconsin this season.