Northwestern to Travel to Maryland for B1G Tournament Quarterfinal

NORTHWESTERN MEN'S SOCCER: GAME INFORMATION
DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	LOCATION	WATCH	LIVE STATS
Friday, Nov. 4	No. 1 Maryland	6 p.m. CT	Ludwig Field College Park, Md.	B1G+	Live Stats
Social: Twitter (@NUMensSoccer) | Instagram: (@NUSoccer)

COLLEGE PARK, Md. –– In a rematch of last year's thrilling Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal that ended with Northwestern advancing on penalty kicks, the No. 8-seed Wildcats will head to College Park to take on the Big Ten Regular Season Champion Maryland Terrapins. Friday night's matchup will kick off at 6 p.m. CT on B1G+. 

???????????????????? ????????
?? No. 1 @MarylandMSoccer
?? @B1GSoccer Quarterfinal
?? Ludwig Field
?? Friday, November 4
?? 6 p.m. CT
?? B1G+ pic.twitter.com/9zDMMo76dF

— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) October 31, 2022

Northwestern earned the last spot in the Big Ten Tournament on an exciting decision day, erasing an early 1-0 deficit to take down Michigan State by a score of 2-1. Michigan State took an early lead off a 10th minute header. Jayvin Van Deventer responded quickly, slotting home a loose ball in the 18-yard box in the 14th minute.

14' | JVD levels it!

1-1 pic.twitter.com/8PEEqQOgMh

— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) October 30, 2022

The 1-1 deadlock held for the remainder of the first half and deep into the second half, until the 80th minute when Alex Gordon played a through ball to Ethan Dudley, who was fouled in the 18-yard box while trying to receive the pass. The penalty was given, and Dudley beat the MSU goalkeeper to give the 'Cats the lead for good. 

ETHAN DUDLEY PUTS US IN FRONT pic.twitter.com/dQXaVfcD91

— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) October 30, 2022

The 'Cats held on to win, and when Penn State's 3-2 victory over Michigan reached full time, Northwestern had clinched a berth in the 2022 Big Ten Men's Soccer Tournament.

'Cat Facts

• Twelve 'Cats have tallied a goal this season (Ethan Dudley, Jason Gajadhar, Justin Weiss, Vicente Castro, Bardia Kimiavi, Andrew Stevens, Eric Smits, Danh Tran, Joseph Arena, and Jayvin Van Deventer), the most since 2010
• Five true first-years have seen action this year for Northwestern (Paul Walters, Christopher Thaggard, Nigel Prince, Jayvin Van Deventer, and Jason Gajadhar)
• Ethan Dudley is the only Wildcat to start every game this season, and has gone all 90 minutes in 15 of Northwestern's 16 contests
• Seven 'Cats have appeared in all sixteen games this year (Ethan Dudley, Brandon Clagette, Andrew Stevens, Bardia Kimiavi, Rom Brown, Paul Son, and Jayvin Van Deventer)
• NU's four leaders in minutes played are all transfers (Ethan Dudley, Brandon Clagette, Andrew Stevens, and Christian Garner)

Maryland also had an exciting decision day, clinching the Big Ten Champion with a late goal from Stefan Copetti against Indiana in the 87th minute to force a 1-1 draw. The Terrapins earned the Big Ten Title with 16 points, going an undefeated 4-0-4 in conference play. The Terps boast a balanced attack, with five players (Malcolm Johnston, Stefan Copetti, Nick Richardson, Griffin Dillon, and Hunter George) posting at least three goals. 

The Wildcats are 3-6-2 against Maryland all-time, with an 0-1-1 record in the Big Ten Tournament. The past two meetings between the two sides have been draws, first in the Big Ten Tournament last year, with NU advancing on Penalties, and then a 1-1 draw at Martin Stadium this year. Christopher Thaggard scored the lone Wildcat goal in this year's matchup. 

The winner of Friday's Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal will advance to take on the winner of No. 4 Indiana and No. 5 Penn State next Wednesday on Big Ten Network.