Three shots.

That’s how many chances Northwestern believes an opponent should have against them in any match.

Although NU has only achieved this in two of its seven games, opponents have recorded just 4.7 shots per game against the Cats, less than half of NU’s 9.7.

That is one of the goals the Wildcats (6-1-0) have on their set of shared team goals for this season posted in the team’s locker room.

The Cats also have a goal for shutouts. Defender Tori Bohannon said this number is “around 10.”

Bohannon, the only holdover from last year’s back line, said keeping this number in mind gives the defenders added focus during the match.

“I feel like a lot of times this year we’ve given up just one goal,” she said. “It doesn’t seem like much when we’ve scored three or four, but we hate to see that.

“(This mentality) will come in handy when we play tougher teams and don’t score as many goals.”

Coach Jenny Haigh said this focus on the defensive end has a great effect on the team’s offense.

“When we play with physical intensity we are a little more dynamic,” she said. “Having a little spring in our step offensively just follows.”

After defeating Central Michigan on Friday, the Cats said they expect Valparaiso (5-2-0) to be an important early-season test.

Valparaiso is coming to Evanston on the wave of two straight wins, including a 2-1 defeat of conference-rival Western Illinois.

Haigh said this year’s Crusaders, who have a 13-19-5 record over the last two years, are stronger than in the past.

“For us, a win or a loss against Valpo is as big as any game on our schedule at this point in the season,” she said.

Although Haigh acknowledged the team’s fast start – the Cats were 4-3-0 at this point last year – she said the team still has some specific aspects of its game to sharpen up before the conference schedule begins this weekend against Illinois and Iowa.

She said the defenders needed to be sharp in their clearances, the midfielders needed to possess and control the ball and the forwards needed to be more dangerous and take more runs in the box.

“We had a stretch of games where we let down a little bit,” she said. “But it’s good that we have this confidence.”

While Bohannon said the team is looking forward to the start of the Big Ten season on Friday, for now all thoughts and focus are on Valparaiso.

“You’ve got to be ready for every game,” she said.

Reach David Morrison at [email protected].