As Alabama’s decisive penalty found the net, those with the Crimson Tide celebrated their survival of the NCAA Tournament first round, leaving only those in purple scattered around on the other side of the pitch
in Alabama Soccer Stadium — faces flooded with tears and emotions of regret.
Northwestern’s 2025 season was an ode to a bunch of dreamers who dreamt big. Though the ‘Cats didn’t accomplish a deeper tournament run, the journey remains worth celebrating. Let’s break down what made this campaign special.
From slump to resurgence
After winning its first two games against Loyola Chicago and Illinois State, Northwestern hit a wall. The ‘Cats fell 0-3 to No. 1 Duke — an acceptable loss given the opponent’s caliber — but what frustrated head coach Michael Moynihan was the inability to secure victories in the next two matches. Northwestern swallowed disappointing draws against Kent State at home and Milwaukee on the road, both after taking early leads.
The turning point came against Butler. Facing the Bulldogs’ offside trap, Northwestern earned multiple chances in the first half but couldn’t convert. After Moynihan switched to a 4-3-3 formation, everything clicked, and the ‘Cats secured a solid 1-0 victory.
That tactical shift set the tone for what should be considered a successful, albeit challenging, road test. Northwestern pulled off a stunning upset of No. 4 TCU 1-0, and then it battled through three consecutive draws against No. 11 Iowa, Washington and Oregon. Though the Wildcats returned home and tied their fourth straight match against No. 23 Ohio State, these hard-fought draws showcased resilience. Staying unbeaten through such a grueling stretch was a major consideration for Northwestern earning an NCAA Tournament bid, and it ultimately made it in.
But resilience alone wouldn’t be enough, as the ‘Cats needed statement wins to build confidence. After learning lessons at Penn State and Indiana, they found their footing with three straight victories over Rutgers, Illinois and Purdue before wrapping up the regular season with another praiseworthy draw against No. 20 Wisconsin.
Players who made it happen
Without the ACL injury that ended her season prematurely, this could have been Alex Fallon’s breakout year.
Named one of three ‘Cats on the Big Ten Preseason Watchlist, the sophomore midfielder-forward immediately showed why she deserved the recognition. When Fallon touched the ball, the transition flowed smoothly. Her two goals and three assists in just eight games before the season-ending injury demonstrated her intact pedigree and significant impact.
But if you ask who truly owned this season, the answer is Kennedy Roesch. Ranked 35th nationally in the 2024 recruiting class by Prep Soccer, she already asserted herself as a rising star in her rookie season with six goals. This year, her 10 goals and three assists stood out with even more dominance, directly propelling the ‘Cats forward.
No matter the opponent, Roesch was the cheat code that opposing defenses needed to mark on. If they didn’t, she’d punish them with a stunner — just ask TCU.
Someone who started the season quietly, dealing with injury, but bounced back with instant impact was Megan Norkett. The junior winger from Naperville, Ill., scored three goals and added three assists this season. After Fallon’s injury, Northwestern’s offensive threat partially shifted to the left side, where Norkett delivered daggers. She came through in clutch moments, scoring the lone goal against USC in the Big Ten Tournament first round to push the ‘Cats into the second round.
The 2025 recruiting class also flourished the program. Nyamma Nelson immediately cracked the starting lineup on day one, garnering nine clean sheets (five against conference opponents) and allowing just 17 goals all season (fourth in the conference). Audrey Alberts, Keira Kemmerley and Liz Cardwell earned starting spots and logged significant minutes, putting themselves in a good spot to lead the ‘Cats in future seasons.
Veteran leadership proved massive. Caterina Regazzoni posted a career-best season with five goals and three assists as one of the senior captains, revisiting the NCAA Tournament in her final year after experiencing the 2022 Cinderella run. Brooke Miller held the backline firm as a defensive anchor, and Kelsey Kwon provided spark in the midfield.
The combination of emerging young talent and experienced leadership created a balanced roster capable of competing with anyone.
Looking ahead
Recruiting shouldn’t be a concern, as the program knows what it needs for reinforcement. With many stalwarts in the sophomore and junior classes possibly returning, the foundation for next season is already set.
But it’s worth mentioning Regazzoni’s departure. Having the Swiss international on the roster was like hitting the lottery, and her addition to NU was one of the best moves the program has made in recent years.
Her recruitment showcased Northwestern’s success in international scouting. It’s difficult to find a midfielder with her outstanding frame, elite set-piece skills and field vision. Now comes the challenge of finding her replacement.
The future remains promising. Northwestern proved it is a postseason contender. What’s next for the Wildcats is showing they can be more consistent. If they continue impressing against ranked opponents next season and earn another at-large bid to the Big Dance, it means they’re on the right track.
