Wildcats to Take on Penn State in Big Ten Semifinal

COLUMBUS, Ohio –– Northwestern women’s soccer (14-2-3) travels to Columbus to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions (11-4-3) in the Big Ten Tournament Semifinal on Thursday. Big Ten Network will broadcast the matchup from Lower.com Field, home of Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, at 3:30 p.m. CT.

Thursday’s match will mark the third consecutive ranked opponent for the Wildcats, after defeating then-No. 17 Ohio State (2-0) in the regular season finale and then-No. 21 Rutgers (2-1) in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal. After falling down 1-0 to Rutgers, the ‘Cats roared back to equalize in the 19th minute behind a strike from Rowan Lapi.

What a goal. ?? @rowanlapi levels it for @NUWSoccer on this insane strike. ?? pic.twitter.com/9aniIub5mr

— Northwestern On BTN (@NUOnBTN) October 30, 2022

The 1-1 scoreline held for the remainder of the first half and into the second half, until the 53rd minute when Nicole Doucette lofted a ball into the box and pass the Rutgers goalkeeper. 

What a goal. ?? @rowanlapi levels it for @NUWSoccer on this insane strike. ?? pic.twitter.com/9aniIub5mr

— Northwestern On BTN (@NUOnBTN) October 30, 2022

Doucette’s first-career goal held up as the game-winner, as NU was able to maintain possession for a large chunk of the second half. 

‘Cat Facts

• The Big Ten Tournament Semifinal berth is the Wildcats first since 2017, when the Wildcats advanced all the way to the final before falling to Penn State
• Northwestern’s 14 wins are the most in a season since 2016’s total of 16, a program record
• NU’s win over Rutgers was the first since 2015, when the ‘Cats defeated the Scarlet Knights 1-0
• The ‘Cats held at No. 12 in this week’s United Soccer Coaches Poll, the final poll of the regular season
• NU comes in at No. 15 in the latest RPI, through games on October 30
• Rowan Lapi was named to Top Drawer Soccer’s Team of the Week on November 1
• Josie Aulicino’s eight assists this season rank first in the Big Ten and third for a…