In a crucial stretch on the road, Northwestern failed to gain a single point in its push for the conference tournament.
After a four-match unbeaten run, the Wildcats faced their toughest tests yet in away trips to Ohio State and Indiana – the two top teams in the Big Ten.
Unfortunately for Northwestern and its conference tournament hopes, both matches resulted in multi-goal losses. A valiant effort against the Buckeyes saw two second-half goals clinch the 2-0 win for Ohio State, while the Hoosiers dominated the ‘Cats in a 6-1 thrashing.
More upsetting for Northwestern is what the losses signified in the Big Ten standings for the ‘Cats — a mathematical elimination from finishing in the top seven and making the postseason tournament. Sunday’s home test against Penn State will be the final match of the season, a match with no true significance for the ‘Cats. However, a final chance to celebrate the seniors and build for next season should motivate Northwestern to beat the Nittany Lions.
Oct. 25 vs. Ohio State
An away trip to face No. 1 Ohio State in front of a raucous crowd was a daunting task, but the Wildcats started strong in Columbus. Although the Buckeyes enjoyed the majority of the possession in the first half, each team created an even number of chances with five shots and one shot on goal apiece. Northwestern had a penalty shout less than five minutes in after the ball appeared to hit the hand of an Ohio State defender in the box, but the referee let play go on with assistance from video review. Additionally, sophomore winger Tyler Glassberg created multiple quality chances that were parried by the keeper – looking to score in consecutive games after scoring the winner against Michigan.
While the ‘Cats were unable to tally a goal in the first half, the defense shut down the Buckeyes’ unrelenting attack – led by several outstanding tackles by defender Nigel Prince. The beginning of the second half was more of the same, with multiple Ohio State chances barely saved, but eventually, the Buckeyes found the back of the Northwestern net. In the 60th minute, Michael Adedokun used his blistering pace and skill to get to the end line and cut the ball across the box, where David Ajagbe slotted the ball home.
Just less than 15 minutes later, Adedokun once again got in behind the Northwestern back four and cooly finished, effectively ending the game. The Wildcats created a couple of key chances off set pieces in the last few minutes but were unable to find a goal. A strong start was canceled out by two second-half goals from Ohio State’s electrifying front line, snapping NU’s four game unbeaten run.
Oct. 29 vs. Indiana
Northwestern’s hot start against the Buckeyes did not carry over to its match in Bloomington against the Hoosiers. After surviving two early Indiana corners, the Northwestern defense finally faltered in the 17th minute as Indiana’s Samuel Sarver shot a rocket into the bottom left corner from well outside the box. The Wildcats responded with a couple of chances of their own, but with ten minutes left in the first half, Indiana’s Tommy Mihalic scored a screamer into the top right corner — another Indiana goal from outside the box. The second goal seemed to see the ‘Cats lose any grip on the match, as they gave up several big chances in the next few minutes. Eventually, Indiana received a penalty kick when Sarver got taken down from behind in the box by Glassberg. Mihalic slotted the penalty kick into the bottom left corner for a 3-0 lead going into the half.
In a first half dominated by the Hoosiers, Northwestern had two shots compared to Indiana’s 17. Mihalic was particularly good for the Hoosiers, scoring two first-half goals before adding two assists in the second half. Additionally, Sarver scored and drew the penalty in the first period, before he added an assist in the second. Meanwhile, Northwestern’s attack failed to create and the defense looked lost against the Hoosiers’ offensive firepower.
In the 58th minute, former-NU forward Justin Weiss scored his first of two to put the Hoosiers up 4-0. Brandon Clagette scored for Northwestern five minutes later on a counter-attack bringing the deficit back to three, but a second goal from Weiss and one for Charlie Heuer gave Indiana the 6-1 win, a deserved scoreline in a dominant performance.