Northwestern to Take on Vanderbilt in Second Round of NCAA Tournament

LOS ANGELES –– After a 3-0 shutout victory over SIUE in the First Round, Northwestern women’s soccer will take on Vanderbilt in the Second Round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament. The Second Round matchup will take place at Wallis Annenberg Stadium on the campus of UCLA at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+. The winner will advance to take on the winner of the second game on Friday night between UCLA and UCF. 

Northwestern reached the Second Round for the fifth time in school history by defeating SIUE on a chilly day at Martin Stadium this past Saturday afternoon. The ‘Cats came out of the gate hot, firing the game’s first four shots on target, but were unable to find the back of the net until Meg Boade slipped through the Cougar defense for her seventh goal of the season in the 38th minute. 

.@megboade lands the first blow ?? pic.twitter.com/NZC0MAikCs

— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) November 12, 2022

Josie Aulicino doubled the Wildcat lead six minutes later with a strike from over 25 yards out, placing the ball just over the Cougar Goalkeeper’s outstretched hands to give the ‘Cats a 2-0 lead one minute before the break. The goal was Aulicino’s eighth of the season.

.@AulicinoJosie said bangers only ?? pic.twitter.com/48urooOtbO

— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) November 12, 2022

The Wildcats held on tightly to the lead in the second half, outshooting the Cougars 12-0, after outshooting them 12-1 in the first half. The 2-0 scoreline held for for a half hour until Ingrid Falls found the top left corner of the net to put the game on ice. 

Ingrid Falls. Top bins. ?? pic.twitter.com/TdDgCZkIy9

— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) November 12, 2022

‘Cat Facts

• A win against Vanderbilt would:

  • move Northwestern ahead to the Sweet Sixteen, the farthest the program has ever advanced.
  • give the Wildcats 16 wins, tying the marks set in 1998 and 2016 for most in program history.

• Friday’s game marks…