Northwestern showed resilience throughout the night in Tuscaloosa, Ala., sparking Cinderella-run hope with crucial goals and smothering Alabama’s attacks when the Crimson Tide were eager to seal the overtime
victory.
However, the fairytale pitch came to a crumpled-up paper as the fighting Wildcats fell after over 110 minutes of fight.
Despite Kennedy Roesch’s 10th goal of the season and Megan Norkett’s go-ahead strike in the second half, Northwestern fell 3-5 to No. 8 Alabama in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw of regulation in the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament first round on Friday night. The ‘Cats missed three consecutive shots in the shootout after Roesch converted the opener, heartbreakingly ending their season.
Alabama struck first with an early threat in the third minute. The Crimson Tide’s high press trapped Northwestern as the ‘Cats tried to break out with the ball. Gianna Paul won possession against Maddie Finnerty and released a shot that Nyamma Nelson blocked with her leg stretched out.
The home side continued to press high and dominate possession. A free kick in the eighth minute was deflected by Northwestern, but the Crimson Tide’s Nadia Ramadan recovered and fired another strike that went wide after a deflection. Alabama’s ensuing corner sailed high over the goal.
Northwestern looked unfazed in battling on the Big Dance away from home, showing its resilient nature in the 11th minute. Caterina Regazzoni fought for the ball up top and unleashed a powerful strike near the left post that Alabama goalkeeper Coralie Lallier claimed and poked away.
After several minutes of struggle, Northwestern gained some control. Norkett created a corner from the left, then played a tactical short corner with Keira Kemmerley sending the ball from the upper left to the right post. Kelsey Kwon found space and registered a difficult shot that sailed just high.
In the 23rd minute, Alabama threatened again. After a brief throw-in, Larkin Thomason dribbled forward and unleashed a long-range shot as the ‘Cats were retreating in transition. Nelson held the last line firm with a diving save. Minutes later, the Crimson Tide pressed again and won the ball. After winning a physical battle with Kemmerley, Melina Rebimbas curled another distance shot that sailed high.
Northwestern broke through in the 27th minute. The ‘Cats escaped Alabama’s press with a long pass forward that found Ava Goodin on the right. She maneuvered with the ball, juked out the first defender with a feint and dug down the box. Spotting an unmarked Roesch roaming in the penalty box, Goodin delivered to Northwestern’s most reliable shooter. Without hesitation, Roesch loaded it calmly, lasering the ball into the right side of the net to give Northwestern the first lead.
Alabama generated chances searching for an equalizer. In the 37th minute, Madeline Padelski dribbled through traffic on the right side of the box, finding space for a quick strike with four Northwestern defenders around her. Nelson came up big again to deny the effort.
With three minutes left in the first half, Padelski ran for a 50-50 ball and battled Finnerty. After winning possession, she pushed the ball forward and dished to Paul, who shot under coverage but was blocked by Nelson once more.
Alabama came out eager to tie the match in the second half, controlling possession in the opening five minutes. Rebimbas rocketed a 20-yard shot from a narrow angle with three Northwestern defenders besieging, but the ball flew just high over the crossbar.
Once Northwestern regained possession, it posed threats. In the 56th minute, Roesch created a rare opportunity, holding the ball confidently against a defender before passing to Norkett on the left with space. Norkett gave it back to Roesch with a better shooting opportunity, but the shot drifted slightly over the goal.
Alabama wasted a golden chance in the 59th minute. Thomason, just a few steps from the goal, fired the ball high over the line when her teammate set her up with a cross on the far right post.
The continuous pressure paid off for the Crimson Tide in the 68th minute. Thomason scored the equalizer after capitalizing on an Alabama close throw-in at the front left, chipping a volley near the left post while three Northwestern defenders were trying to block the effort to even the game at 1-1.
But the ‘Cats dialed in again offensively in the 74th minute. Norkett became the savior again, just as she had in the Big Ten Tournament first round. Goodin served a long delivery from the far right that bombarded down the penalty area. Hayley Newman was first to the ball but missed the touch, and it transitioned to Norkett near the left post. The winger immediately capitalized on the golden chance from a narrow angle, smashing home with her left foot to give the ‘Cats a 2-1 lead.
With 10 minutes to go, Northwestern tightened up defensively. Keira Wagner was booked with a yellow card after taking down an Alabama player driving forward. But an ensuing foul call against the Crimson Tide waived off their free-kick chance.
In the 84th minute, Padelski and Thomason connected in the box, but Northwestern’s backline held firm with decisive blocks and deflections. Brooke Miller then used her body to shut down another Alabama long-ball attack in the next minute.
But Northwestern’s defense collapsed in the 85th minute as Padelski emerged from the crowd in the box and connected with Paul’s cross from the right, heading powerfully past Nelson to level the game at 2-2.
Norkett battled for a 50-50 chance down the left touchline and recovered the ball, sending a cross into the area, but no impact was generated. Alabama initiated a counterattack with a long ball finding Thomason at the front, but it was ruled offside. The match headed to overtime tied 2-2.
In the first overtime period, Rebimbas blasted two intimidating shots in a row from the right, then the Crimson Tide used a series of corners to maintain pressure. After weathering those attacks, Northwestern responded with a counter that ended with Regazzoni’s long shot being corralled by Lallier. In the final moment of the first period, Thomason got the ball near the left post but drifted it wide. Northwestern survived the first 10 minutes.
Starting the second overtime, the ‘Cats reclaimed control as Norkett maneuvered on the right flank and created dangerous opportunities. Rebimbas kept up her prowess as Alabama fought back in transition, dribbling past Kwon and finding space for a curling shot. Nelson ensured her coverage with a diving save to keep Northwestern safe.
Padelski followed the attacking stretch, breaking away from the left and firing just over the bar. With one minute left, Norkett rallied for a final push after fighting for possession on the right flank and delivering a cross into the area, but Kwon couldn’t connect despite stretching her leg forward.
After two scoreless overtime periods, the match went to a penalty shootout. Despite Roesch converting the opening shot, Regazzoni, Liz Cardwell and Norkett missed three consecutive attempts, while Alabama prevailed in all attempts. Northwestern yielded 3-5 in the shootout to end the 2025 season, and its first NCAA Tournament campaign since 2022.
