Northwestern (4-2-6, 0-1-4 Big Ten) returned home for a pivotal stretch against nationally ranked conference opponents, hosting No. 23 Ohio State (5-1-5, 1-0-4 Big Ten) and No. 18 Penn State (6-4-2, 2-2-1 Big Ten). The Wildcats extended their draw streak to four in a 0-0 result against the Buckeyes before finally seeing it snapped in a 2-1 loss to the Nittany Lions.
Northwestern 0, Ohio State 0 (Sept. 25)
Facing their first Big Ten home match, Northwestern showed early composure in possession against Ohio State. Despite a shaky moment in the opening
minutes when Kennedy Roesch’s turnover launched the Buckeyes’ counter, the ‘Cats settled in and dictated tempo across the first 10 minutes.
Roesch nearly created the opener herself, cutting inside and firing just wide to the right. She later linked up with Megan Norkett in the penalty area but went down under pressure, only for play to continue without a whistle.
Northwestern’s best attacking sequence of the half came in the 19th minute when Norkett drove through two defenders on the left flank and set up Keira Kemmerley, whose central shot was safely corralled by Buckeye keeper Molly Pritchard.
“We had too many moments where we gave away. There are simple possessions and opportunities for us to create chances,” Northwestern head coach Michael Moynihan said.
Ohio State slowly wrestled back possession. Mirann Gacioch tested Nyamma Nelson with a low strike in the 22nd minute, but the sophomore goalkeeper handled it cleanly. Right before halftime, Anika Poremba broke free down the left, but Keira Wagner recovered with a physical challenge to block off the shot and preserve the scoreless tie.
Both sides pushed in the second half, but neither found the breakthrough. Nelson dove to intercept a cross from Callie Tumilty in the 54th minute, while Northwestern’s best chance came in the 59th when Roesch ripped a left-footed effort from the top of the box that forced Pritchard into a stretched save. Kemmerley also spun free in the box in the 71st but saw her shot cleared off the line.
The Buckeyes threatened late with long-range efforts, but Nelson denied both attempts in the closing minutes to secure her sixth clean sheet of the season. After a 1-2 loss to the Buckeyes last year, the ‘Cats defended home with a tie in the rematch.
“We made a lot of good progress (from last year),” Moniyhan said. “I’m proud of our defense. If we can keep building on that, we just gotta convert.”
Northwestern 1, Penn State 2 (Sept. 28)
Having shown greater tenacity during the conference battle this year, the ‘Cats looked promising to break the silence after four consecutive draws. Standing in the way of their first conference win was the visiting Penn State, which was upset by Illinois 3-4 on Sept. 25.
The Nittany Lions wasted little time asserting themselves, striking first in the 12th minute through Amelia White, who finished from close range after a sequence that began with a through ball to Kaitlyn MacBean.
The Wildcats fought back with flashes. Caterina Regazzoni nearly connected with Roesch on a long ball, while Kemmerley found space for a curling shot that flew just wide. In the 37th minute, Kelsey Kwon worked a short corner to Kate Hennen, whose cross picked out Kemmerley for a powerful header. But Penn State keeper Mackenzie Gress was equal to the attempt. Sarah O’Donnell followed up minutes later with a weaving run and a dangerous cross from the right, but again the final touch was missing.
“Ultimately, we have to take responsibility for capitalizing on the chances that we create and we haven’t done that yet,” Moynihan said. “We have to find a way (to score).”
Penn State doubled its lead shortly after the break. Off a set piece in the 52nd, Riley Gleason delivered a pinpoint cross that Molly Martin headed into the bottom corner, leaving Nelson with no chance.
Northwestern continued to probe, earning a set-piece goal that was waved off for offside in the 61st and seeing Regazzoni’s close-range header denied by Gress minutes later. Nelson kept the Wildcats alive with a diving save in the 71st to block another chance from Aubrey Kulpa.
The breakthrough finally came in the 88th when NU was awarded a penalty after the opponent’s foul. Roesch calmly slotted her shot to the bottom right, cutting the deficit in half. The Wildcats surged forward in the final minutes, but Penn State’s backline held firm, sealing NU’s first Big Ten loss of the season.
“We’re definitely a team that has a lot of fights, that’s something we can certainly build on, and hopefully it fuels us for future contests,” Moynihan said on the Cats’ ability to reduce the deficit until the final whistle.
Next up, Northwestern stays home to host Nebraska in another crucial Big Ten showdown.
