Nicole DoucetteNicole Doucette
Ayelet Prottas/Northwestern Athletics

Northwestern Heads to No. 9 Penn State

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EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern women's soccer treks to No. 9 Penn State for a matchup with the Nittany Lions on Thursday night. Kickoff from University Park is set for 6 p.m. CT on B1G+.

Last Time Out
Last time out, Northwestern battled Harvard to a 1-1 draw. The Crimson broke through in the fifth minute to take a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats responded, finally equalizing in the 78th minute on Kennedy Roesch's fourth goal of the season.

'Cat Stats
  • NU opponents are averaging 2.22 shots on goal per game.
  • Josie Aulicino currently ranks third in program history in career goals (24), second in career assists (30), and second in career points (78).
  • Six NU opponents are represented in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, with two more receiving votes.
  • Northwestern has outshot its opponent in eight of nine games.
  • The Wildcats have placed more shots on goal than their opponent in all nine games this season.
  • Northwestern is 15-0-1 when scoring 3+ goals since 2022.
  • Northwestern boasts a 17-3-4 record (.792 winning percentage) in regular season non-conference play since 2022.
  • Northwestern has 30 wins since 2022, third-most amongst Big Ten programs over that span.

Scouting the Opposition
Thursday's matchup will mark the 35th all-time meeting between Northwestern and Penn State on the pitch, with the Nittany Lions holding a 28-5-1 advantage all-time. Last season, the two sides played to a 2-2 draw, with Northwestern outshooting the Nittany Lions 28-4 after a PSU red card in the game's 24th minute. Penn State enters Thursday's contest at 7-1-1. Kaitlyn MacBean leads all Nittany Lions with nine goals on the season. Amanda Poorbaugh has played all nine games, starting eight for PSU, posting a goals against average of 0.61 and a .828 save percentage.

Up Next
Northwestern continues its Big Ten road swing at No. 17 Ohio State on Sunday, September 22 at 11 a.m. CT on BTN.