Oct. 25, 2007

Northwestern Women's Soccer Notes (vs. Minnesota/Iowa)
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Looking to keep the offensive momentum going from their four-goal performance against Michigan State last Sunday, the Wildcats are set to host critical Big Ten contests against Minnesota and Iowa at the Lakeside Field. NU hosts Minnesota at 3 p.m. Friday before taking on Iowa at noon Sunday in a game that will be broadcast on a delay basis by the Big Ten Network.

Northwestern's defense--and the combination of Lauren Johnston (Denver, Colo./Denver East) and Carolyn Edwards (Lincolnshire, Ill./Stevenson) -- have posted 318 minutes of shutout soccer over the past three games -- including two 110-minute scoreless ties against Illinois and Michigan. Offensively, seniors Shannon Schneeman (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) and Kelsey Hans (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville) are tied for the team lead with seven goals each. Hans scored her seventh goal of the year against Michigan State last Sunday.

Quoting Coach Erickson
"We are playing two teams this weekend in Minnesota and Iowa that have been playing inspired soccer and we have to be ready," Erickson said. "These are two big games for us and we're excited to be playing them on our home field."

Locks Of Love Day Set For Sunday
Northwestern women's soccer will hold Locks of Love Day during its home game against Iowa at noon Sunday, October 28 at Lakeside Field. For months, head coach Stephanie Erickson and several Wildcats have been growing out their hair and they will be getting their hair cut after the game in support of Locks of Love. Locks of Love is a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long term medical hair loss.

Johnston Named Big Ten Defensive Player Of The Week
Senior Lauren Johnston has been named Big Ten Defensive Player Of The Week for her 158:05 of scoreless soccer last weekend. Johnston picked up her third shutout in four games in NU's 0-0 tie against Michigan on Friday. The senior made four saves and even survived a kick to the face and black eye to play the full 110 minutes to collect the shutout, her fourth overall and third in Big Ten Play. Johnston sits third in the Big Ten in saves.

Access Denied
With its 4-0 win over Michigan State on Sunday, Northwestern registered its third-straight shutout and blanked an opponent for the fourth time in its last five games. As a team, the Wildcats have not allowed a goal since the second half of their contest against Penn State on 10/7 -- a span of 318:04. Lauren Johnston currently owns a 276:09 shutout streak.

Goals Come In Bunches
When Northwestern took a 1-0 lead against Michigan State last Sunday on an Alicia Herczeg (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura) goal, it broke a goal drought of over 270 minutes. However, NU recorded its second goal of the game just over a minute later when Jenny Dunn (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Louisville) scored on a breakaway. Kelsey Hans and Sam Greene (Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica) added second-half tallies.

Friday Night Lights
It has been a season of "firsts" for Northwestern's brand new Lakeside Field. NU's regular season finale on November 2 will mark the first night game at the new facility. Northwestern and Wisconsin will close the Wildcats' regular season at 7 p.m.

For Northwestern's complete weekend game notes, click the .pdf link above.