Northwestern earned its first Big Ten win Friday, defeating Rutgers 2-1 and earning its first points in conference play, after a 4-0 home win against Division III Trine ended a four-game losing streak last week.
In a comeback affair, the Wildcats (7-5, 1-4 Big Ten) pulled off the victory over the Scarlet Knights (4-7-2, 1-4-1 Big Ten). The ’Cats’ balanced attack manifested itself through junior defender Nigel Prince and redshirt senior forward Akinjide Awujo, who spearheaded the visiting side’s comeback.
In the 29th minute, Scarlet Knights midfielder Nestor Cabrera struck the team’s first shot of the game, spinning around an NU defender and sending a shot past ’Cats junior goalkeeper Rafael Ponce de León to put Rutgers up 1-0. On the subsequent play, Awujo ricocheted the ball off the left post. Graduate student defender Brandon Clagette connected with the rebound 5 yards from the goal without a defender in sight but sent it over the net.
In the last minutes of the first half, Prince executed with the poise of a center forward in the box for his second score of the season, equalizing the contest. The defender received a ball in the box, turning and firing into the net.
Returning from the break, both squads exchanged threatening plays until Awujo finally broke the deadlock in the 68th minute with a header that put the ’Cats ahead.
Rutgers ratcheted up its offensive attack in the second half and nearly tied the match on the last play. Rutgers midfielder Kristófer Arnarsson hit the post right before time expired.
The ’Cats will be back for more conference play against Wisconsin on Tuesday on Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. With the Big Ten Tournament in sight, a strong performance is critical.
Email: [email protected]
X: @tojm333
Related Stories:
— Men’s Soccer: Northwestern snaps four-game losing streak with 4-0 victory over Trine
— Men’s Soccer: Northwestern drops 4th consecutive loss in 1-0 defeat at Michigan State
