Wildcats Advance to B1G Semifinal With 2-1 Win Over Rutgers

EVANSTON, Ill. –– Northwestern rallied from a 1-0 deficit to beat Rutgers 2-1 Sunday at home at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal.

Northwestern improved to 14-3-2 overall following the win and advanced to Thursday's semifinal.

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We're headed to the @B1GSoccer Semifinal in Columbus! pic.twitter.com/EMy9h7IWz7

— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) October 30, 2022

How it Happened

Rutgers broke the scoreless tie when Riley Tiernan scored in the seventh minute, assisted by Sara Brocious and Sam Kroeger.

The Wildcats evened the match on a goal from Rowan Lapi -- her sixth goal of the season -- in the 22nd minute, assisted by Danika Austin and Lily Gilbertson.

.@rowanlapi from downtown! ?? pic.twitter.com/5eF9MM4jUA

— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) October 30, 2022

Northwestern went up 2-1 on Nicole Doucette's 53rd-minute goal, her first of the season. Ella Hase assisted the goal. The 2-1 score held to the end of the game.

53' | GOAL! 'Cats on ??!

2-1 pic.twitter.com/LZOPAncyMU

— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) October 30, 2022

Game Notes

• The Big Ten Tournament Semifinal berth is the Wildcats first since 2017, when the Wildcats advanced all the way to the final before falling to Penn State
• The win over Rutgers is the first since 2015, when the 'Cats defeated the Scarlet Knights 1-0
• NU's 14 wins are the most in a season since 2016's total of 16, a program record
• Nicole Doucette's goal in the 53rd minute was the first of her career
• Rowan Lapi's goal was her sixth of the season, and was her fifth goal that either tied or took the lead

Northwestern advances to the Big Ten Tournament Semifinal at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio to face the No. 6 Penn State. That game will take place on Thursday, November 3 on Big Ten Network at 3:30 p.m. CT.

This article created using technology provided by Data Skrive.