Men’s Soccer: Northwestern drops back-to-back matches to start conference play

The Pac-12 (forever in our hearts) is good at soccer.

Northwestern began conference play Friday as the No. 14 team in the country but will almost certainly be left out of the next rankings after picking up consecutive losses for the first time in the young season.

The ‘Cats did not muster a goal in either defeat, dropping their Big Ten opener 1-0 to UCLA at home before becoming the first Northwestern side of the weekend to fall victim to Washington in Seattle with a 2-0 defeat on the road. Neither UCLA or Washington were ranked going into their matchups with the ‘Cats, but both former Pac 12 squads took down two top-12 ranked teams in non-conference play. While the latest rankings won’t come out until later this afternoon, it seems likely that at least UCLA will leap into the top 25.

For all Russell Payne’s success in his first four years in Evanston, his Wildcats still have yet to win against a ranked opponent under his tutelage. With three teams in the top 25 — Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin — still left on the docket, Northwestern will have to find a signature win in order to keep any dreams of the NCAA tournament alive.

Sept. 14: No. 14 Northwestern vs. UCLA, 1-0 UCLA

Northwestern looked the better side for most of this one, outshooting UCLA by a whopping 15-5, but a ninth minute penalty kick goal for the Bruins proved to be the difference.

As a former junior varsity goalie, I can appreciate good play between the posts, and there was a lot to like from both keepers in this one. Northwestern’s Rafael Ponce de Léon channeled his inner Emi Martínez early, denying UCLA’s Jose Contell in a a one-on-one situation with a kick save right out of the Argentine star’s box of tricks.

Contell, however, was deep in his bag for much of last Friday, and he capitalized on his next big change, netting a penalty kick in the ninth minute after a Northwestern handball in the box. Akinjide Awujo had a prime chance to equalize in the 25th minute after a nice Brendan Clagette cross, but he was unable to get a clean foot on it from six feet out, and UCLA’s Sam Joseph collected without issue.

The ‘Cats gave Joseph more problems in the second half to the tune of NINE shots but were ultimately unable to break through. If anyone were to have found the equalizer, however; it would have been Nigel Prince. The first team All-Big Ten defender led the ‘Cats with three shot attempts, including this blistering header in the 65th minute that Joseph somehow was able to send over the bar.

Ponce de Léon added another ridiculous kick save to his ledger in the 70th minute, and Northwestern earned two corners in the final 20, but Joseph and the Bruins were able to hang on for the win.

Sept. 20: No. 20 Northwestern at Washington, 2-0 Washington

The ‘Cats had plenty of quality chances in this one as well. Northwestern continues to look dangerous inside the box, almost surging to an early lead in this one. In Seattle, the first good strike was a Thaddeus Dewing header in the 3rd minute that very well may have dented the crossbar.

Ponce de Léon showed once again why he is one of the best shot stoppers in the conference — especially from close range — with yet another kick save to deny a breakaway attempt later on in the early going.

Rafa was less successful in stopping Washington’s Peter Kingston from distance as the fifth year gave his Huskies the lead from 25 yards out in the 20th minute. Awujo had a good opportunity to equalize for the second consecutive game in the 58th but was unable to overcome a tight angle, and saw his shot collected by Washington’s Jadon Bowton.

After another solid Ponce de Léon stop late in the second half, Washington’s Nick Boyle put the game on ice in the 86th minute. The ‘Cats should have gotten their first Big Ten goal three minutes later on a Washington handball inside the penalty box, but Reese Mayer was unable to beat a diving Bowton.

Stat of the Week

The Wildcat woes against ranked opponents extend long before Russell Payne found his way to Evanston. To find the last time Northwestern beat a top 25 side, you have to go all the way back to September of 2019 when the ‘Cats beat No. 25 Maryland 3-1 in Orchard Park. Northwestern has spent some real time in the top 25 in the last two years but has yet to put all the pieces together against the best in the country.

Next Up

Northwestern is back in action on Friday Sept. 27 at home against a surging Maryland side that is 2-0 in the Big Ten after a 3-0 beatdown over No. 8 Wisconsin. That win could be good enough to get the Terps ranked, so there’s a world where Russell Payne’s guys have a shot at that ranked victory in four days. And if the Wildcats can finally capitalize on a chance in the box for the first time since September 9, they could very easily snap the ignominous streak.