Northwestern (4-1-5, 0-0-3 Big Ten) wrapped up another road trip in last week’s two games, collecting two hard-fought draws against Washington (5-1-4, 2-0-1 Big Ten) and Oregon (2-6-2, 0-2-1 Big Ten).
Adding to an earlier upset against No. 4 TCU and a tie to No. 11 Iowa, the Wildcats leave their four-game road stretch undefeated, an encouraging sign as they head back to Evanston for Big Ten play.
Northwestern 1, Washington 1 (Sept. 18)
Northwestern opened the trip in Seattle against Washington, a test that quickly turned into a back-and-forth battle.
At the sixth minute, Kennedy Roesch rolled a ball down the left wing and set up Holland Carey at the front post, but the chance slipped away as they disconnected. Washington answered with sustained pressure, forcing goalkeeper Nymma Nelson to handle three high balls in quick succession. The Huskies nearly converted when a long ball found Alex Buck on the left side, but Nelson blocked her initial strike and sprawled for the rebound to keep the match level.
The ‘Cats responded by regaining control of possession. Maddie Finnerty lofted a high cross into the box, though Roesch couldn’t get past Husky keeper Tanner Ijams. Later, Megan Norkett carved through the left flank and unleashed a low-angled shot that rolled just wide of the right post.
Washington kept pushing as halftime approached, with Jadyn Holdenried clanging a shot off the woodwork and Samiah Shell’s free kick forcing Nelson into another claim.
Northwestern struck first after the break. In the 51st minute, Norkett’s corner from the left side wasn’t cleared enough, and the ball bounced to Caterina Regazzoni, who calmly tapped it in with her first touch. The ‘Cats nearly doubled the lead soon after, as Roesch fired from distance and Norkett’s movement on the right flank continued to generate set pieces.
But the Huskies equalized in the 72nd. Buck swung in a cross from the left, and Kalea Eichenberger slipped into the middle, scoring off a deflection to make it 1-1. Minutes later, Holdenried tested Nelson again with a rising shot to the top right corner, but the NU keeper stretched for a diving save.
Northwestern made the last push in the 83rd minute when Norkett burst down the left wing and drove a cross toward the near post, but Ijams smothered the effort. The match closed in a 1-1 draw.
Northwestern 0, Oregon 0 (Sept. 21)
Three days later, Northwestern traveled south to face Oregon for the first time in program history.
The opening stages saw little action from both sides, though Norkett carved out NU’s first look at the 11th minute by weaving through traffic and firing just wide left. Oregon answered with pressure in the 26th, as Taylor Bryan rattled the crossbar, and Miya Alamares’ rebound was blocked heroically by Finnerty near the left post.
The ‘Cats countered through Sarah O’Donnell, who broke away on the right side, but the Ducks’ goalkeeper Caeley Goldstein raced out for a diving stop before she could shoot. Roesch also tested her range from 35 yards, though Goldstein collected without issue.
NU’s best early second-half look came in the 50th minute, when Keira Kemmerley dribbled downhill on the left and found an angle to fire low, only for Goldstein to extend for another diving save. Ten minutes later, O’Donnell cut inside and drilled another attempt, but again Goldstein was there to cover.
In the 81st minute, Roesch was fouled just outside the right side of the penalty box, but Norkett’s ensuing setpiece failed to generate a shot on frame. Six minutes later, NU nearly broke through for a game-winner. Roesch skipped past defenders on the left and picked out O’Donnell, who was darting into the box. O’Donnell connected cleanly, but her shot soared over the bar, blowing away the ‘Cats’ best chance of the afternoon.
The final whistle confirmed a 0-0 draw. With an eight-save masterpiece, Nelson collected her fifth clean sheet of the season—a special one as an Oregon native returning home.
Northwestern will return to Evanston for its Big Ten home opener Sept. 25 against No. 22 Ohio State.
