The Big Ten tournament picture will be set today, but the Northwestern women’s soccer players already know it won’t include them.
The Wildcats (4-8-3, 2-6-2 Big Ten) were elimanted from the playoffs last weekend when they tied Michigan State and lost to Michigan at home. NU finished the Big Ten season just outside of the eight-team playoff field.
But before the Cats can start improving on their finish — they will return almost the entire starting lineup next season — they have three non-conference games to play in the next two weeks.
“Practice (this week) was a little tense because we’re bummed that we didn’t make it,” midfielder Aileen Guiney said. “Especially because we felt like we played some good soccer.
“I try to comfort myself with thoughts of next year.”
The Cats turn their attention to the end-of-year, non-conference schedule that begins today.
NU hosts Wisconsin-Milwaukee (7-5-3) at Lakeside Field at 4 p.m. as five seniors step onto the field for their last home match.
NU head coach Jenny Haigh said the upcoming non-conference games will be an opportunity for her young team to continue improving.
“We have a lot of growing up to do,” she said. “We’re going to take advantage of these last three games to get better.”
The Cats see these games as an opportunity to prove they’re better than their record during the conference season showed.
“It’ll be a matter of pride and competitiveness,” Guiney said.
The Cats will be able to practice their dog-fighting skills against the Panthers, who play a 4-4-2 formation.
“They’re very much a blue-collar and fiesty team,” Haigh said.
Before getting down and dirty, the Cats will honor their seniors in a formal ceremony.
Emotions could flow when Janelle Harwood, Gina Napoli, Susie McCreery, Alana Stamas and Kelli Wilson make their last appearances at Lakeside Field in an NU uniform.
McCreery and Wilson have been the only regular starters in the group this season.
The Cats haven’t set up an easy send-off for their seniors.
Wisconsin-Milwaukee went to the NCAA tournament last year. And the Panthers, tops in the Horizon League, are in good position to repeat the appearance.
Additionally, the Panthers are still smarting from last year’s matchup, when the Cats snapped Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s nine-game winning streak.
NU won the matchup in Milwaukee, 2-1.
Haigh said her team will be ready to go and won’t make any excuses.
“We want to finish strong,” she said. “Nothing has changed from our end, the girls have been sharp, competitive and checked in to play.”
The Cats have set a goal to win each of the last three games.
“That’s very realistic for us,” Haigh said.
Added Guiney: “We have something to prove. We think we’re a good soccer team.”
Wisconsin-Milwaukee (7-5-3) at NU (4-8-3)
4 p.m., today
Lakeside Field
