Northwestern athletics continue to ramp up for postseason play. Brendan Preisman has this week’s NU Sports Report.
Photo by @NUFHCats (Northwestern Field Hockey) on Twitter.
Hi, I’m Brendan Preisman. Here’s your NU Sports report for this week.
FIELD HOCKEY
The top ranked Wildcats are taking a page out of DJ Khaled’s book: all they do is win. The team blanked #16 Penn State on Thursday evening in their 14th straight win, which tied a program record. The shutout also marked the sixth consecutive game that the Wildcats’ opponent failed to tally a point on the scoreboard. That mark also tied a school record and helped goalie Annabel Skubisz win Big Ten defensive player of the week. On offense, senior Lauren Wadas chipped in both goals, marking the fourth straight game she scored. On Sunday against Rutgers, Northwestern clinched a share of the Big Ten title for the first time since 2013. The Wildcats came from behind in a dramatic 2-1 shootout victory thanks to a game-winning goal from captain Peyton Halsey. The goal for Rutgers was just the eighth Skubisz has allowed all season, and Northwestern’s 0.5 goals allowed per game leads the nation. The Wildcats will be able to clinch the outright Big Ten title, and continue the longest winning streak in team history, when they take on Maryland at home this Thursday.
FOOTBALL
David Braun’s team dropped to 3-4 after a tough 17-9 loss to Nebraska on the road on Saturday. The Wildcats struggled offensively all day, converting just three of their 15 third downs. Northwestern had to punt seven times, and did not reach the end zone for the first time all year. Backup Brendan Sullivan got the start thanks to an injury to Ben Bryant, but only completed 12 passes over the course of the game. While Northwestern did win the turnover battle, they were unable to make the most of those turnovers and put points on the scoreboard. The defense looked very good, but the offense was simply unable to pick up the slack when it mattered. Northwestern will look to get back on track when the Wildcats host Maryland this Saturday, October 28.
SWIMMING
Both Northwestern swim teams had undefeated weekends in the Norris Aquatics Center. The women’s team defeated both Southern Illinois and Miami (Ohio), scoring over 180 points in both events. Lindsay Ervin won two events, the 50 free and the 100 free, qualifying for the NCAA tournament along the way. Ayla Spitz also qualified for the NCAA tournament thanks to her victories in the 500 free and the 200 free. The team as a whole also found success, winning the 400 free relay and both the one-meter and three meter diving events.
As for the men, they moved to 3-0 on the year with a dominant 207-89 win over Southern Illinois. Andrew Martin and Tonahuc Zinn both won two events, with Martin taking the 200 and 500 free and Zinn winning the fly and individual medley in the 200 section. Northwestern also won the 400 free relay, and dominated diving, placing three divers in the top 3 in both the one-meter and three-meter competitions.
That wraps up your NU Sports report for this week. For more information about upcoming games, as well as how you can watch the Wildcats live, visit www.nusports.com.
I’m Brendan Preisman, WNUR News.
