NU Sports Report is back, and there’s definitely no shortage of athletics news! Jonah Turner has the rundown on the latest matchups and the best in Northwestern Athletics.
Photo by Northwestern Wildside/Instagram
It’s Wednesday, and that means it’s time for the first NU Sports Report of the Year. I’m Jonah Turner, and let’s get into it.
Football
After a fantastic win against Minnesota, Northwestern football hosted number 6 Penn State this past Saturday falling 13-41 despite going into the half 10-10. Northwestern made a fantastic start to the game, forcing a fumble on the kickoff and converting a field goal on the resulting drive. This was Penn State’s first turnover of the year. A hard-fought first half was capped off by a Ben Bryant rushing touchdown. The second half was immediately downhill as the offense stalled out and Penn State outscored the Wildcats 17-0 in the third quarter to take a commanding 27-10 lead. This continued into the fourth quarter with the Cats adding a consolation field goal. Ben Bryant threw for 122 yards with 14 completions from 25 attempts and was sacked 5 times, with the fifth sending him to the locker room with a shoulder injury. Transfer graduate student Cam Johnson had his best game of the season with 81 receiving yards, leading the team on the day. After an admirable and tough-fought game against one of the nation’s best, the now 2 and 3 wildcats host the Howard Bison this Saturday at 2pm for Homecoming. The game will be broadcast live on Big Ten network.
Womens Soccer
Women’s soccer fell 3-2 to Nebraska on Sunday despite a first career brace from junior defender Emma Phillips as an 85th-minute goal by Nebraska’s Eleanor Dale doomed the cats to a 7-7-3 overall record and 1-3-1 in Big Ten Play. This continues a run of bad form, with the Cats falling to Michigan and Indiana in addition to a draw against Illinois over the last week. The Cats will seek to right the ship with their next match Thursday at 7pm live on Big Ten network, as the Cats seek to improve their conference record as the Big Ten tournament approaches away at Wisconsin.
The Northwestern Men remain undefeated after a 0-0 draw with Green Bay last night as the Cats failed to convert a dominant statistical performance into three points. The Cats dominated shots 18 to 4, forcing 8 saves from Green Bay goalkeeper Tobias Jahn. This result came off the back a huge 2-0 away win at Maryland on Friday and goalkeeper Jackson Weyman and midfielder Collin McCamy big up Big Ten Player of the Week honors. The season continues as the Cats welcome Rutgers to Martin Stadium on Sunday at 1pm.
Volleyball
Volleyball fell in a close game 3-2 at home to Michigan state last Friday, after a late surge fell just short. On Sunday they traveled to West Lafayette Indiana for a showdown with Number 17 ranked Purdue. After falling behind two sets to zero losing 17-25 and 15-25, the cats roared back led by Graduate Student Julia Sangiacomo and her career-best 33 kills. After a narrow third set, which saw the Cats triumph 27-25, the Cats started the fourth set strong by going up 5-0 and weren’t threatened again. In the deciding 5th set, the cats overcame an 11-8 deficit behind Sangiacomo’s impeccable form to triumph 15-12. The win takes the Cats to 7-7 overall, and 1-3 in the Big Ten. Next up is a Michigan adventure, playing at Michigan on Friday which will be live on Big Ten Network at 5pm CT, and Michigan State on Saturday
Field Hockey
In field hockey, the wildcats took their 11th straight win with a goal from Big Ten Offense Layer of the Week Lauren Wadas in the 4th quarter with under six minutes remaining in the game. Northwestern dominated the game, outshooting Michigan 15-2 in the first half, but couldn’t find the back of the net. In the latest coaches poll, the Cats are ranked second in the nation, but face a huge test as they travel to face number three Iowa this Friday. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.
Golf
The women’s golf team finished second in the windy city classic yesterday, finishing 9 strokes back of UCLA. Golf alumni Matthew Fitzpatrick and Luke Donald won the ryder cup with team Europe defeating the US 16 and a half to 11 and a half.
I’m Jonah Turner, and this has been the NU Sports Report. For more information go to nusports.com.
