Editor’s note: Each week, WNUR Sports recaps the news and results from the in-season, non-revenue teams that we cover in order to help our listeners and readers stay connected to the pulse of Northwestern athletics. For football coverage, check out this week’s game recap HERE. Teams are discussed in alphabetical order.

By Jack Lido

 

MEN’S SOCCER

10/24 – LOSS vs. Wisconsin 2-1 (2OT)

10/26 – WIN VS. Concordia Chicago 6-0

Northwestern lost a heartbreaker to Wisconsin at home this past week. In a defensive struggle, the Wildcats fired only four shots on goal while giving up nine. First-year Jose Del Valle scored his first goal in a purple uniform off a pass from Sean Lynch, and Goalkeeper Miha Miskovic was able to save seven shots but couldn’t get to an Isaac Shlenker fireball in the second overtime period. The Wildcats rebounded nicely and gained a lot of momentum in a commanding win against Concordia Chicago, converting six goals on twelve shots. Senior Camden Buescher scored a hat trick on Senior Night, and senior goalkeepers Robbie White and Braden Thuraisingham played a half each, combining for three saves. The ‘Cats found an offensive rhythm against Concordia Chicago and will have to keep their momentum going as they play Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament on Saturday.

FIELD HOCKEY

10/28 (Big Ten Tournament) – LOSS @ Michigan 3-1

Northwestern’s season may have come to a close on Sunday in a loss to an outstanding No. 8 Michigan team in Ann Arbor. Senior Eva van Agt put the ‘Cats on the board in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to outscore Michigan’s high-powered offense. Sunday marked the third straight postseason loss to the Wolverines, as the Wildcats fell victim to Michigan in last season’s Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. The Wildcats’ 9-10 overall record (3-5 Big Ten) was a slight disappointment, but the team is not out of contention for an NCAA bid yet. Plus, although the ‘Cats have to say goodbye to two of their top goal scorers next year, they only graduate four seniors overall and maintain a strong foundation upon which to build.

VOLLEYBALL

10/24 – WIN @ Iowa 3-2

10/28 – WIN vs. Ohio State 3-0

The Wildcats turned last week’s win into a legitimate hot streak, winning both of its matches this week to improve to 3-1 in its last four. Last Wednesday, Northwestern won the first, third and all important fifth set to knock off a solid Iowa team in a thriller in Iowa City. The game served as nice revenge after the Cats lost to Iowa 3-2 nearly a month ago. Sophomores Nia Robinson and Alana Walker both set career-highs in kills, while sophomore Britt Bommer set a career high in assists. The Wildcats then came back to Evanston to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes in their last match at Beardsley Gym. The sweep marks the first time Northwestern has won back-to-back Big Ten games since 2015. Shane Davis’ club still has a lot of teams ahead of them, but wins in the Big Ten are hard to come by and this team has really earned them during this recent stretch of success. The Wildcats now go on a two-game road trip to face Maryland and Ohio State before returning to the brand-new Welsh-Ryan arena to face Penn State.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

No results, but lost out of the Big Ten Tournament

After a hard-fought season, women’s soccer finished 9th in the Big Ten, just barley missing out on a shot at the eight-team conference tournament. The ‘Cats finished 4-4-3 in conference play, a very respectable record with wins over top-seeded Penn State, Illinois and Michigan, all of whom made the tournament.