After missing the Big Ten Tournament in 2023 and 2024, Northwestern (8-3-7, 4-2-5 Big Ten) has earned its way back to the conference’s big stage. The ‘Cats secured a No. 7 seed following Sunday’s 1-1 draw
with Wisconsin and will face No. 10 USC (7-6-3, 4-5-2 Big Ten) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. CT in West Lafayette, Ind.
It’s Northwestern’s first tournament appearance since 2022, when the ‘Cats fell in the second round but advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Now, as an underdog once again, can they surprise the conference?
What the ‘Cats bring to the table
Northwestern has the offensive firepower to create chaos in this tournament. Sophomore Kennedy Roesch leads the charge with 21 points (9 goals, 3 assists) in conference battles, ranking fourth among Big Ten players. The ‘Cats have scored 15 conference goals this season — third in the conference — and posted eight conference assists, also third in the Big Ten.
Megan Norkett provides another dynamic threat on the wing, tallying one goal and three assists while consistently beating defenders one-on-one with her dribbling ability to create scoring chances.
Losing Alex Fallon to an ACL injury was a significant blow, especially in midfield. The sophomore started all eight games she played before being sidelined, producing two goals and three assists. Her presence helped Northwestern transition smoothly from defense to attack and generate scoring opportunities.
But senior captain Caterina Regazzoni stepped up in Fallon’s absence, posting a career-high five goals and three assists this season. She’s been vital in rejuvenating the offense with her vision, physicality and set-piece shooting. First-year standout Keira Kemmerley also contributed one goal and three assists, adding another creative spark to the attack.
Defensively, Northwestern has been equally impressive, conceding just eight goals during conference play, good for third-best in the Big Ten. Freshman goalkeeper Nyamma Nelson has been a revelation, starting 18 games and posting an 81% save percentage over 990 minutes with five shutouts. With Nelson anchoring the backline alongside captain Brooke Miller, the ‘Cats have built a solid defensive foundation.
How far can they go?
The No. 7 seed doesn’t tell the full story of Northwestern’s season. The word that best defines this team is resilience. Against nationally ranked opponents this season, the ‘Cats have posted a 1-3-2 record, including a stunning upset of No. 4 TCU on September 4.
In conference play, Northwestern improved significantly with four wins, earning points against teams that gave them trouble last year. Victories over Purdue and Illinois, plus draws with No. 11 Iowa and No. 23 Ohio State, show this team’s growth.
The Big Ten Tournament is wide open. Northwestern, Wisconsin, Illinois, Penn State and Ohio State all finished with 17 points in the standings. Anything is possible, which means the ‘Cats could exit in the first round or climb all the way to the final. That’s not an exaggeration.
Realistically, Northwestern should advance past USC in the first round. If they maintain their resilience and keep their defensive line tight, they can battle through to the second round, whether it’s a narrow 1-0 victory or a penalty shootout thriller.
First-Round Opponent: USC
Last season, USC dominated the Big Ten with a 10-0-1 undefeated record and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals as the No. 23 team in the nation. This year tells a completely different story. The Trojans have struggled to a 4-5-2 conference record.
Northwestern and USC met for the first time in program history last season, with the Trojans winning 2-1. But the ‘Cats showed resilience in that match, with Emma Phillips scoring to tie things up at one point.
This year’s USC team is far from invincible, but Northwestern can’t afford to underestimate any opponent in the Big Ten Tournament. The Trojans’ 4.69 points per game rank fourth in the conference, and they’ve recorded 25 assists on 25 goals this season (eighth in the Big Ten). USC also averages 1.56 goals and 1.56 assists per game, both ranking in the conference’s top five.
Despite USC’s offensive credentials, Northwestern holds a defensive edge. The ‘Cats rank fourth in save percentage and third in goals allowed in the Big Ten, giving them favorable odds to storm past the first round.
