Women’s Soccer

It’s safe to say Northwestern has hit a few roadblocks as it prepares to defend its Big Ten championship.

The Wildcats (3-3-1) concluded their nonconference slate Sunday in a 1-0 home loss to Pepperdine (4-2-1). In the 26th minute, senior goalkeeper Lauren Clem mishandled a Christina Settles shot that eventually rolled across the goal line, leading to the game’s only goal.

NU mustered nine shots, including two on goal by freshman midfielder Madi Kennel, but couldn’t beat Waves goalkeeper Brielle Preece, who finished with a clean sheet for the visitors.

A year ago, Clem only allowed one goal through the whole nonconference season and allowed just five for the entire regular season. This season, she’s conceded seven before conference play has even begun.

NU also started last season by winning nine games in a row, including a perfect nonconference record. This season, the Cats will head into their Big Ten slate with a .500 record.

It won’t get any easier for NU, which will start the Big Ten season Thursday when it travels to Happy Valley to take on No. 5 Penn State. Along with the Cats and Minnesota, the Nittany Lions won a share of last year’s Big Ten regular season title, so the clash could have major implications for the Big Ten season.

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