By Kevin Sweeney

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.

Baseball: 

Result(s): 

• 4/9: 6-5 (12) win over Rutgers
• 4/10: 8-4 loss vs Rutgers
• 4/11: 6-5 (10) loss vs Rutgers

Baseball returned to Rocky & Berenice Miller Park over the weekend, and in two out of the three games, nine innings wasn’t enough to decide the game. Northwestern spoiled a terrific seven innings of work from Mike Doherty on Friday afternoon, conceding two-run home runs in both the eighth and ninth innings to turn a 4-1 lead into a 5-4 deficit. But Anthony Calarco tied it up with two outs in the bottom of the ninth with a solo homer to right to extend the game. Three innings of scoreless relief from first-year Garrett Boeckle kept the ‘Cats in it, and Shawn Goosenberg led off the 12th with his second home run of the game to send Northwestern home happy and earn Spencer Allen his 100th win as manager. 

The final two games of the series weren’t as kind to the ‘Cats. Northwestern continued to hit for power, with home runs by Goosenberg on both Saturday and Sunday to go along with a Saturday bomb by Leo Kaplan and a Sunday shot by Michael Trautwein. But the Rutgers pitching staff mostly kept Northwestern at bay offensively, and three home runs on the weekend by Ryan Lasko sparked the RU offense.

The 11-10 Wildcats will host Indiana for a three-game series beginning on Friday. 

Lacrosse: 

Result(s): 

• 4/8: 21-14 win at Ohio State

The high-scoring No. 2 Wildcats trailed at halftime before cruising late past Ohio State for their 10th win of the season. Izzy Scane led the way for Northwestern with eight goals, upping her season average to a nation-leading 6.4 goals per game. Meanwhile, Lauren Gilbert and Sammy Mueller continued their strong play with four goals each. And while the Buckeyes found some rhythm in the first half, Northwestern forced 20 turnovers in the game and kept OSU to just five goals in the second. 

Northwestern can complete an undefeated regular season Sunday when the ‘Cats host Michigan. 

Men’s Soccer: 

Result(s): 

• 4/10: 3-0 loss at Indiana

The men’s soccer season and the Tim Lenahan era came to a close this week with a 3-0 defeat at Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament. Conceding two early goals was a recipe for disaster for a Northwestern team not known for having a dynamic offense, and the ‘Cats rarely threatened against a talented Hoosier club. After winning two of its first three games of the season, Northwestern was winless in its final eight games of the season to complete a disappointing spring. 

The good news for Northwestern: Six of the team’s seven goal-scorers this season have eligibility remaining, including talented young forward Ugo Achara, who led the team with five goals. 

Softball: 

Result(s):

• 4/9: 3-2 (10) loss vs Minnesota
• 4/10: 6-2 loss vs Minnesota
• 4/11: 2-1 (8) loss vs Minnesota
• 4/11: 10-4 loss vs Minnesota

It was a disappointing weekend for Northwestern against perennial Big Ten contender Minnesota, as the ‘Cats were swept in four games to fall back in the Big Ten standings. Golden Gopher pitchers Autumn Pease and Amber Fiser shut down the Northwestern offense all weekend, limiting Northwestern to just eight runs in four games. That number is especially impressive considering Northwestern has scored eight or more runs in a single game 10 times this season. 

The losses included a pair of extra-inning thrillers, one Friday and one Sunday. Friday’s 10-inning marathon was eventually decided on an unearned run driven in by Sydney Strelow, while Sunday’s was wrapped up in the eighth on a long home run by Delanie Cox off the side of Welsh-Ryan Arena beyond the left field fence.

Northwestern will look to bounce back next weekend with four games in Iowa City against the Hawkeyes. 

Women’s Soccer: 

Result(s): 

• 4/8: 1-0 win vs Purdue
• 4/11: 1-1 tie at Wisconsin, Wisconsin advances on penalties 

The ‘Cats saw their season come to an end Sunday after a valiant battle against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament. After advancing past Purdue in their first game of the tournament Thursday, Northwestern returned to Madison and lost a heartbreaker. Northwestern scored first on a beautiful strike from Lily Gilbertson late in the first half, but Wisconsin responded well with a goal from Cameron Murtha. Both goalkeepers made key saves to extend the game into overtime, and neither side could break through. But Wisconsin keeper Jordyn Bloomer made a pair of saves during the penalty shootout and the Badgers shooters were clinical, helping Wisconsin advance.