Following No. 2 Northwestern’s upset loss to Colorado on Feb. 9, coach Kelly Amonte Hiller preached the need for consistency in energy and mentality going into each game.
After taking the week to reset, the Wildcats (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten) swept the weekend with strong wins over No. 20 Army and Central Michigan at Ryan Fieldhouse on Saturday and Sunday. NU dominated in the two contests, scoring 43 goals total and conceding just nine scores.
“You have to really dial in your mental side and make sure your energy is strong on day two,” Amonte Hiller said postgame Sunday. “We were excited and amped on day one … but we want to take advantage of every opportunity that we get to play this game.”
Against Central Michigan, the ’Cats recorded 53 shots, the most in a single game since at least 2007. NU attempted 21 shots in the first quarter against Central Michigan, emphasizing the hot starts of the weekend, as the ’Cats posted a 12-0 scoring margin in the first quarters combined.
Over the course of the weekend, sophomore attacker Aditi Foster scored seven goals. After tallying 12 goals last season, she has found the back of the net 12 times through four games.
Senior attacker Madison Taylor notched eight goals and four assists during the two games. She leads the nation in total points with 29.
After opening the season in a hybrid role, senior attacker Maddie Epke has taken over as the ’Cats’ primary draw controller. She corralled eight draw controls over the weekend while posting three goals and three assists.
The draw was important for NU in both games, especially against Central Michigan, when the ’Cats controlled it at a margin of 22-6.
“We weren’t too happy with our performance (on the draw) in our first game against Boston College,” Amonte Hiller said. “I feel like we’ve been learning and growing since, and that’s going to be a key for us all season long.”
During the ’Cats’ 18-7 win over the Black Knights (2-1, 0-0 Patriot League) on Saturday, the hosts completely controlled three quarters of the contest. NU didn’t allow a goal in the first quarter and conceded just three goals in the second half. The ’Cats also took advantage of Army’s 11 green and yellow cards, scoring seven of their goals with a player advantage.
In the second quarter, the only period when NU showed signs of weakness, the team was shown four penalty cards and committed four turnovers. The ’Cats were outscored 4-3 during the quarter, but immediately answered back with a 5-0 scoring run to open the second half.
NU looked to alleviate the scoring burden off of Taylor, who scored six of the team’s nine goals during the loss to Colorado. Before the veteran could score her first goal of the game, the ’Cats led 8-4, with six different players responsible for scoring. By the contest’s end, 11 players had found the back of the net.
“No matter who’s out on the field, we know that every single person has the same mindset,” redshirt freshman attacker Jenna Soto said postgame Sunday. “It all ends up coming down to gratitude and putting the team first, and that paves our path to success.”
Senior attacker Lucy Munro tallied three goals and two assists. Freshman attacker Gabriella McCollester scored her first career goal. Graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco made seven saves and allowed seven goals.
Around 24 hours later, NU returned to the field and issued a 25-2 thumping to the Chippewas (0-3, 0-0 MAC). Despite the short rest period, the ’Cats looked fresh on their feet, and Foster’s goal less than one minute into the game set the tone for the rest of the contest.
“I don’t think there was a fatigue factor,” Amonte Hiller said about Sunday’s substitution philosophy. “I think it was more excitement to get on the field, excitement to connect off each other, to get better.”
NU opened the game with 17 unanswered goals, a streak that lasted until early in the third quarter when Central Michigan attacker Mia Bradley scored the visitors’ first goal. Similar to Saturday’s game, the ’Cats scored seven goals before Taylor could nab her first. By the end of the second quarter, she had five goals.
Along with Taylor, NU was led by Soto, who tallied four goals and four assists. After missing all of last season due to injury, she returned to the field and has played an important role within the attacking group.
“I think seeing everyone work together and everyone has each other’s back is probably one of the most rewarding things,” Soto said.
After 15 minutes of play, Cuocco earned her first minutes of rest of the season and redshirt junior goalkeeper Francesca Argentieri took over. The backup made four saves and allowed one goal before she was pulled in favor of graduate student goalkeeper Cara Nugent, who finished out the contest between the pipes. The trio combined for 10 saves and allowed just two goals.
Junior midfielders Noel Cumberland and Lauren Archer each scored two goals. Freshman midfielder Sienna Connolly and redshirt freshman midfielder Annabelle Mahoney scored their first career goals.
NU rounds out its four-game homestand against Marquette on Friday.
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