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Joshua Hoffman/NUSports

No. 8 'Cats Head South for In-State Showdown

NORTHWESTERN WOMEN'S SOCCER: GAME INFORMATION
DATE OPPONENT TIME LOCATION WATCH LIVE STATS
Sunday, October 2 Illinois 1 p.m. CT Demirjian Park

Champaign, Ill.		 BTN Live Stats

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. –– No. 8 Northwestern Women's Soccer (9-1-2, 3-0-1) puts its ten-game unbeaten streak on the line when it travels to Champaign to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (6-4-2, 1-2-1). 

The Wildcats are fresh off a 1-1 draw against No. 10 Rutgers. NU continued its early scoring streak with an Aurea del Carmen goal in the 9th minute.

'Cats have scored in the first half in SEVEN straight games pic.twitter.com/wiFCHUwHaK

— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) September 30, 2022
'Cat Facts
  • Northwestern's No. 8 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches Poll is the highest ranking in program history
  • With a draw against No. 10 Rutgers, the Wildcats extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games, tied for the longest in program history
  • NU has scored a first half goal in seven straight games
  • Northwestern has scored a goal in the first ten minutes in four of its last five games and five of its last seven
  • Across the Big Ten Conference, Josie Aulicino ranks first in assists (6), tied for first in shots on goal (18), and third in points (16)
  • First-year Caterina Regazzoni is the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week after tallying a goal and two assists against Nebraska and earning the game-winning corner kick against Minnesota
Sunday's matchup will be the second home contest of the week for the Illini, after drawing Iowa (2-2) on Thursday night. Both Illinois goals came in a six minute span in the second half, first when Aleah Treiterer scored one from the penalty spot. Shortly after, Maeve Jones gave the Illini a 2-1 lead. Iowa equalized in the 75th minute and the scoreline held for the rest of the game. The Illini present a balanced scoring attack, with ten individuals tallying a goal so far this season. Ashley Cathro, Eileen Murphy, and Kendra Pasquale were all named to the Big Ten's preseason Players to Watch list for the Illini.

Northwestern defeated Illinois 1-0 at Martin Stadium last year behind a Regan Stiegleder goal in the 90th minute. The Illini lead the all-times series 15-9-3.

Northwestern continues Big Ten play when it returns home to host Wisconsin on Friday, October 7 at 7 p.m. CT on B1G+.