Highlighting a season-long offensive drought, Northwestern suffered its third and fourth shutouts of the year, dropping a 4-0 decision to Penn State on Friday and a 2-0 match to Ohio State on Sunday.
On a damp, cloudy evening in University Park, Penn., the Wildcats (1-9-0, 0-3-0 Big Ten) could not stem a downpour of 18 Nittany Lions shots, compared to just six for NU. Penn State (9-3-0, 2-1-0) also held an 8-1 advantage in shots on goal.
Freshman goalkeeper Anna Cassell made two saves in the opening minutes to avoid the early deficit that has plagued the Cats all season. However, once the Nittany Lions found the back of the net, they never looked back.
Sophomore Maya Hayes began the scoring in the 21st minute, redirecting a Bri Hovington pass into the lower left corner of the net.
Senior Ali Schaefer then took over, scoring off of a free kick in the 33rd minute and off of a corner kick in the 57th minute. Her goals earned her the title of Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.
Hayes then added an extra insurance goal in the 64th minute from the top of the penalty box – her fifteenth on the season, moving her into a tie with Nebraska’s Morgan Marlborough for the NCAA lead.
Freshman midfielder Georgia Waddle provided a slight highlight for the Cats with two shots, one on goal, but was unable to find the back of the net.
Freshman midfielder Sami Schrakamp added another shot for NU but also drew a yellow card in the 57th minute, one of 11 fouls called against Northwestern.
“Tonight we beat ourselves,” coach Stephanie Foster said after the game. “Penn State is a great team and they completely outmatched us tonight.”
Looking to rebound against Ohio State, the Cats put on a more competitive showing but could not overcome another large deficit in shots, this time getting out-shot 18-6.
The Cats played even with the Buckeyes until the 43rd minute, when junior Tiffany Cameron finished a shot from 10 yards out. Senior Paige Maxwell then connected on a loose ball in the box in the 78th minute to pad the lead for Ohio State.
Waddle added another shot for the Cats on Sunday, giving her a total of three for the two-game set – the most of any NU player.
NU again committed 11 fouls but somewhat offset them by drawing Ohio State offside five times, as well as inducing nine Buckeyes fouls.
Despite losing both weekend matchups, the Cats walked away feeling much better about their performance and effort against Ohio State.
“We were dealt a massive challenge with our first three Big Ten games on the road,” Foster said. “I’m so proud of the fight and soccer we put out there today against a Final Four team from a year ago. We need to see the ball hit the back of the net for us and we’re back in business when we compete like we did today.”
NU gets its next shot at a Big Ten win on Friday against Purdue. The Boilermakers (3-7-2, 0-2-1) sit just above Northwestern in the conference standings but roll into Evanston with confidence after playing to a 1-1 tie against unbeaten Iowa on Sunday.
