EVANSTON, Ill. (November 7, 2025) – Behind second-half goals from Andrew Johnson and Aaron O'Reilly, Northwestern men's soccer capped off its 2025 season on a high note, rallying to secure a 2-1 win over Ohio State this evening at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
With tonight's win over the Buckeyes (6-10, 3-7 B1G), Northwestern closes the 2025 season at 8-6-3 overall (3-5-2 B1G), its third straight winning campaign. This marks the first time that the program has had three consecutive finishes above .500 since 2012-14.
How It Happened
Ohio State came out as the aggressors early, with Luciano Pechota and Will Arnesen narrowly misfiring inside the opening quarter-hour. Northwestern's first clear-cut chance of the night fell to the left foot of Joe Suchecki, who forced a save out of Ohio State goalkeeper Max Trejo in the 25th minute.
After seeing Tyler Glassberg fire wide of goal in the 37th minute, the visitors struck for the night's first goal with just under five minutes remaining in the half, as Nick McHenry headed home a Dyland Onwona-Agyeman corner kick to give the Buckeyes a 1-0 lead at the intermission.
Northwestern wasted no time in pinning Ohio State back into its own end in the second half. Trejo needed a point-blank stop to deny Jason Gajadhar in the 53rd minute before Johnson saw his headed effort denied four minutes later.
The Wildcats' persistence paid off just ahead of the hour mark. Following a foul on the edge of the 18-yard box, Suchecki took aim at goal with a left-footed free kick that was spilled by Trejo into the path of an onrushing Johnson. The first-year did the rest, directing home from close range to level the score at 1-1. Following a diving stop by Rafael Ponce de León that kept the game all square in the 76th minute, Johnson looked to double his tally on the night, but saw his try from 12 yards out turned away by Trejo.
With time ticking away, O'Reilly struck for the night's deciding goal in the 84th minute. After playing Peter Riesz forward down the right side, O'Reilly found himself on the receiving end of a feed from his junior counterpart that he sent past a sprawling Trejo to cement a thrilling 2-1 victory.
Looking At The Numbers
- O'Reilly's deciding strike marked his fifth goal of an outstanding first-year campaign, a tally which led the Northwestern roster.
- Johnson, who has been a fixture along the Wildcat backline throughout the year, picked up his first collegiate goal to put the hosts on the board.
- Suchecki was credited with his team-high fifth assist of the year on Johnson's tally, while Riesz notched his third assist of the year on O'Reilly's game-winner.
- After being outshot by a 7-4 margin across the opening 45 minutes, Northwestern dominated the second stanza, posting a 12-3 advantage in the category.
- The Wildcats put 10 of their 16 shots on target.
With tonight's win over the Buckeyes (6-10, 3-7 B1G), Northwestern closes the 2025 season at 8-6-3 overall (3-5-2 B1G), its third straight winning campaign. This marks the first time that the program has had three consecutive finishes above .500 since 2012-14.
What a finish to 2025! ??
— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) November 8, 2025
?? 59' Johnson
?? 84' O'Reilly pic.twitter.com/0myjBlkkfg
How It Happened
Ohio State came out as the aggressors early, with Luciano Pechota and Will Arnesen narrowly misfiring inside the opening quarter-hour. Northwestern's first clear-cut chance of the night fell to the left foot of Joe Suchecki, who forced a save out of Ohio State goalkeeper Max Trejo in the 25th minute.
After seeing Tyler Glassberg fire wide of goal in the 37th minute, the visitors struck for the night's first goal with just under five minutes remaining in the half, as Nick McHenry headed home a Dyland Onwona-Agyeman corner kick to give the Buckeyes a 1-0 lead at the intermission.
Northwestern wasted no time in pinning Ohio State back into its own end in the second half. Trejo needed a point-blank stop to deny Jason Gajadhar in the 53rd minute before Johnson saw his headed effort denied four minutes later.
The Wildcats' persistence paid off just ahead of the hour mark. Following a foul on the edge of the 18-yard box, Suchecki took aim at goal with a left-footed free kick that was spilled by Trejo into the path of an onrushing Johnson. The first-year did the rest, directing home from close range to level the score at 1-1. Following a diving stop by Rafael Ponce de León that kept the game all square in the 76th minute, Johnson looked to double his tally on the night, but saw his try from 12 yards out turned away by Trejo.
With time ticking away, O'Reilly struck for the night's deciding goal in the 84th minute. After playing Peter Riesz forward down the right side, O'Reilly found himself on the receiving end of a feed from his junior counterpart that he sent past a sprawling Trejo to cement a thrilling 2-1 victory.
Looking At The Numbers
- O'Reilly's deciding strike marked his fifth goal of an outstanding first-year campaign, a tally which led the Northwestern roster.
- Johnson, who has been a fixture along the Wildcat backline throughout the year, picked up his first collegiate goal to put the hosts on the board.
- Suchecki was credited with his team-high fifth assist of the year on Johnson's tally, while Riesz notched his third assist of the year on O'Reilly's game-winner.
- After being outshot by a 7-4 margin across the opening 45 minutes, Northwestern dominated the second stanza, posting a 12-3 advantage in the category.
- The Wildcats put 10 of their 16 shots on target.