Sept. 22, 2011

Northwestern (1-7-0, 0-1-0) at Penn State (7-3-0, 0-1-0)
Friday, September 23 • 6 p.m.
Jeffrey Field
University Park, Pa.
Streaming Video: Big Ten Digital Network on Wildcats All-Access (NUSports.com)
Gametracker: NUsports.com

Northwestern (1-7-0, 0-1-0) at Ohio State (5-3-1, 0-0-1)
Sunday, September 25 • 11 a.m.
Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium
Columbus, Ohio
Streaming Video: Big Ten Digital Network on Wildcats All-Access (NUSports.com)
Gametracker: NUsports.com

Northwestern Game Notes (PDF)

The Weekend
Northwestern continues Big Ten Conference action on the road this weekend, taking on Penn State Friday and Ohio State Sunday. Northwestern, Penn State and Ohio State are all looking for their first conference win of the season this weekend.

Scouting the Nittany Lions
Penn State is 7-3-0 overall, 0-1-0 in the conference and opened up Big Ten play Tuesday night in Madison, falling to Wisconsin, 1-0. PSU currently leads the conference in shots (19.20 per game), points (8.6) and assists per game (3.40). Sophomore forward Maya Hayes is tied for first in the Big Ten with 13 goals this season while junior midfielder Christine Nairn is tops in the league with seven assists (0.70 per game).

Last Time vs. the Nittany Lions
Penn State traveled to Evanston in 2010 and former Northwestern defender Leigh Jakes scored her first career goal in the 12th minute of the match. Penn State came back with a goal in the 31st minute and again in the 67th minute to win 2-1.

Scouting the Buckeyes
The Buckeyes are 5-3-1 overall, 0-0-1 in the Big Ten and 1-1-1 in their last three contests. They opened up conference play last Sunday at Minnesota and finished in a 1-1 tie after two overtimes. Six players have scored at least one goal for the Buckeyes this season, with five players leading the team at two goals each. Ohio State returns eight starters from last year’s Big Ten co-championship team.

Last Time vs. the Buckeyes
Last year, it took extra time before the Buckeyes emerged with the 1-0 victory over Northwestern in Evanston. OSU’s Paige Maxwell broke a scoreless tie in the ninth minute of overtime as she scored off a header.

Last Time Out
NU opened Big Ten action Sunday at Nebraska, the Cornhuskers’ first contest as a member of the Big Ten. Nebraska’s Morgan Marlborough scored a hat trick, opening the scoring in the 15th minute and added another goal just minutes later, spearheading a 3-1 Husker victory. Northwestern junior defender Briana Westlund (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) cut the deficit to one in the 60th minute by converting a penalty kick, but Marlborough tallied the final goal in the 77th minute.

For more information, read the complete Northwestern women’s soccer game notes.

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