EVANSTON, Ill. – The Wildcats weathered storms from the Buckeyes and the skies on Sunday afternoon, pulling off a gritty 1-0 win at Martin Stadium thanks to an 86th minute winner from sophomore forward Justin Weiss.
The Buckeyes outshot the Wildcats 18-6 on the day, but Northwestern was always dangerous on the counter attack and in transition. As the game stretched on both ends in the dying minute, a crucial turnover forced by Richie Bennett sprung a lethal Wildcat attack. Bennett played in Jose Del Valle, and both were credited on the assist as Weiss found space in the right of the box and fired in a winner to the far post.
Weiss scored his team-high fifth goal of the season, and found the back of the net for the third game in a row. The sophomore is now tied for the most goals in the Big Ten. Del Valle picked up his second assist of the season while Bennett notched his first.
Graduate goalkeeper Miha Miskovic turned a vintage performance, making six saves in the shutout, with his last save the most crucial at a 0-0 game in the second half.
Miskovic registered his third shutout of the season and 18th of his career, the third most in program history.
The 'Cats improved to 4-5-2 and 1-3 in the Big Ten, while dropping the Buckeyes to 4-5-1 and 0-2 in the Big Ten. Ohio State was coming off a 2-1 overtime win against No. 17 Bowling Green.
Northwestern is back in action on Friday with a tough road trip to Maryland, where head coach Russell Payne will face off against Sasho Cirovski, the renowned head coach who was in charge of the Terps during Payne's stint in College Park.
The Buckeyes outshot the Wildcats 18-6 on the day, but Northwestern was always dangerous on the counter attack and in transition. As the game stretched on both ends in the dying minute, a crucial turnover forced by Richie Bennett sprung a lethal Wildcat attack. Bennett played in Jose Del Valle, and both were credited on the assist as Weiss found space in the right of the box and fired in a winner to the far post.
SCENES AT MARTIN STADIUM!!
— Northwestern MSoccer (@NUMensSoccer) October 3, 2021
JUSTIN DOES IT AGAIN IN THE 86TH MINUTE ????
LET'S GOOOOOOO.#GoCats pic.twitter.com/F9NC2PcCkT
Weiss scored his team-high fifth goal of the season, and found the back of the net for the third game in a row. The sophomore is now tied for the most goals in the Big Ten. Del Valle picked up his second assist of the season while Bennett notched his first.
Graduate goalkeeper Miha Miskovic turned a vintage performance, making six saves in the shutout, with his last save the most crucial at a 0-0 game in the second half.
Vintage @Mihajlo_Miha_1 right now with SIX saves.
— Northwestern MSoccer (@NUMensSoccer) October 3, 2021
Had a lot to do to keep that one out...#GoCats pic.twitter.com/1JaiEPZ04n
Miskovic registered his third shutout of the season and 18th of his career, the third most in program history.
The 'Cats improved to 4-5-2 and 1-3 in the Big Ten, while dropping the Buckeyes to 4-5-1 and 0-2 in the Big Ten. Ohio State was coming off a 2-1 overtime win against No. 17 Bowling Green.
Northwestern is back in action on Friday with a tough road trip to Maryland, where head coach Russell Payne will face off against Sasho Cirovski, the renowned head coach who was in charge of the Terps during Payne's stint in College Park.