Photo Gallery

EVANSTON, Ill. - Last Sunday, the Wildcat men's soccer team collaborated with the Northwestern chapter of Dance Marathon and the B+ foundation for an AYSO clinic in the Trienens indoor practice facility. Members of the NU Big Ten champion men's soccer team worked with clinic participants, which included B+ heroes, on various soccer drills and games during the two-hour session.

 

The B+ Foundation holds a special place in the hearts of the NU men's soccer team as alum Eamon O'Neill ('09) is the Midwest Regional Director of the charitable organization. B+ honors the memory of Andrew McDonough, a 14-year-old athlete and student from Wilmington, Del. In 2007, Andrew helped lead his team to victory in a state championship soccer tournament. Within 48 hours, he was in cardiac arrest and diagnosed with Luekemia (AML). The doctors didn't expect Andrew to live through the night, but he fought for 167 days. B+ not only reflected Andrew's blood type, but the way he lived his life and how he inspired others to do the same.

 

The B+ Foundation is the beneficiary for the 2012 Dance Marathon and also partnered with the men's soccer team during the 2011 season. Prior to the regular season home finale vs. Indiana, Dance Marathon members collected donations with all proceeds going towards the B+ Foundation.

 

This clinic is just one of many initiatives Northwestern Athletics has partnered with Dance Marathon on in their support of raising awareness and funds for B+ during the 2011-12 school year. Dance Marathon continues to raise money for the organization at various athletic events and B+ Heroes have been guests on the sidelines at NU football games and practices and will have a presence at an upcoming men's basketball game.

 

For more information on the B+ Foundation, visit www.bepositive.org or contact NU men's soccer alum Eamon O'Neill (eamon@bepositive.org).

Photo Gallery

Prior to the Northwestern men's soccer game against UMKC on Labor Day, the Wildcat men's and women's soccer teams lent a helping hand by assisting in the NU-American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Soccer Jam.

 

More than 300 AYSO players, aged 4-12, participated in the two-hour clinic at Lakeside Field where they learned different soccer skills from Northwestern players and enjoyed a visit from Willie the Wildcat. AYSO then held a pregame tailgate for nearly 800 Wildcat fans who later helped cheer the Wildcats to a 2-0 win over the Kangaroos.

 

"The Evanston AYSO, with over 1,800 kids and 500 adult volunteers, could not be more thrilled to have such a fantastic partnership with the Northwestern soccer program," Regional Commissioner of the Evanston AYSO #735 Ryan Garton said. "Our NU-AYSO Soccer Jam on Labor Day weekend was a fun time for all--soccer skills and drills, a classic tailgate and AYSO helped to cheer the men's soccer team to a victory! It's fantastic to have kids, parents and students all together in soccer."

 

The clinic also featured a number of giveaways and NU players signed autographs for the AYSO players. Be sure to check out the photo gallery at the top of the page from the NU-AYSO Soccer Jam.

Northwestern men's soccer closed out its exhibition season Friday evening at Lakeside Field, downing Division III foe Wheaton College, 5-0. The teams played two 45-minute periods, followed by a 30-minute period that featured mainly reserves.

 

The Wildcats dominated possession over the opening 45 minutes of play, holding an 8-3 edge in shots. Sophomores Reed Losee and Lepe Seetane each barely missed out on scoring opportunities before NU finally cashed with in one second shy of 10 minutes remaining in the opening stanza. Nick Gendron, who had entered the game as a substitute just one minute earlier, finished in front of the goal from five yards out off assists from Seetane and Layth Masri to give Northwestern the lead.

 

Sophomore Tommy Tombridge got the start in goal for the Wildcats and made one terrific leaping save, punching the ball over the top off the crossbar.

 

NU was able to pull away midway through the second half. Sophomore Scott Lakin headed home a service from Losee at the back post at the 66:28 mark to make it 2-0 in the hosts' favor. Just over three minutes later, freshman Jagger Martinez made his presence felt by putting home a feed from Peter O'Neill to extend the Wildcats' lead to three.

 

Losee finished off the scoring with just over 17 minutes remaining when he made it 4-0. Masri was credited with his second assist of the match on the play.

 

Northwestern out-shot Wheaton 15-4 over the opening 90 minutes of play. Jonathan Harris worked the first 41:30 of the second half in goal, while freshman Tyler Miller worked the final 3:30, as well as the final 30-minute period.

 

Freshman Eric Weberman tallied the lone goal of the final stanza, ripping a shot inside the near post from 15 yards out with senior Lucas Swertloff earning an assist. The 'Cats held a 5-2 advantage in shots in the last period, including a pair that hit the crossbar.

 

Northwestern opens its 2011 regular season next Friday, Aug. 26 as it hosts Eastern Illinois. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at Lakeside Field.

 

Host SIU Edwardsville got a goal in the 70th minute to edge the Northwestern men's soccer team 1-0 in the exhibition opener for both teams Sunday night at Korte Stadium in Edwardsville, Ill. The teams played two 40-minute periods as well as one additional 20-minute period that featured mostly the reserve players.

The Wildcats were out-shot 15-6 over the 100 minutes of action with sophomore Lepe Seetane recording four of the team's shots, including two that were on goal. SIUE held a 9-2 edge in shots over the opening stanza, but redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Tommy Tombridge wasn't forced to make a save. Both of NU's shots were on frame but were stopped by Scott Meyer.

The decisive goal came at 69:35 when Jordan Barnes scored off 10 yards out off a feed from Jared Tejada, beating Northwestern keeper Jonathan Harris. The Wildcats were never able to tally the equalizer.

NU returns to action at 7 p.m. Friday as it closes out its exhibition season by hosting Wheaton College at Lakeside Field.