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Sept. 23, 2003

DES MOINES, Iowa - Northwestern extended its unbeaten streak to four with a 2-1 win over Drake in Des Moines, Iowa. After tying Eastern Illinois, 2-2, on Sept. 12, the 'Cats have run off three consecutive victories heading into conference play.

After a hard-fought, but scoreless first half, sophomore Brad Napper (who was celebrating his 20th birthday) put the 'Cats on the board in the 69th minute when he took a pass from Gerardo Alvarez and beat the Bulldogs' Zack Brennan on his left side, giving NU a 1-0 lead.

Drake (5-2-1) battled right back, knotting the score at 1-1 less than five minutes later when Matt Nickell headed a shot past NU goalkeeper Brian Heckenbach.

However, Northwestern was in no mood play overtime soccer.

Alvarez, this week's Big Ten Player of the Week, took a pass from fellow freshman Daniel Chille and sent the game-winner into the back of the goal at 81:10. Dave Vargas also was credited with an assist on the play.

NU head coach Tim Lenahan was excited about the way his team played 90 solid minutes.

"We played hard all match -- and played really well," he said.

"There were a few stretches where I felt like we really dominated. It was a great win for us and for what we are trying to do with this program. Plus, to do it on the road against a quality team was huge."

NU seeks to keep its winning streak alive on Sun., Sept. 28 when it faces conference foe Michigan State. The Spartans are playing well in their own right, tying perennial national power Indiana, 1-1, last week.

Lenahan likes his team's chances, however.

"We feel really good heading into Big Ten competition with the way we've been playing," he said.

NU and Michigan State square off at 1 p.m. at the Leonard B. Thomas Sports Complex.

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