September 16, 2012
BRING ON THE BIG TEN
Wildcats close out nonconference schedule with 1-1 draw

ROCHESTER, Mich. -- Kate Allen's second-half goal earned the Northwestern women a 1-1 draw in their nonconference finale Sunday afternoon at Oakland University.

“Overall, we have to be pleased. We came from behind, fought our way back to get into it and then I thought in the second half we really took over and dominated a huge chunk of the second half,” Northwestern head coach Michael Moynihan said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to put away some of the chances we created and come out with a win, but I thought we created some chances and we were much more assertive in the second half. Oakland is a very good team, I think they’re very well coached and they play attractive soccer, so it was an interesting game."

Allen capitalized on an Oakland turnover deep in the defensive end for her goal in the 52nd minute. The junior leads Northwestern (4-3-2, 0-1-0 Big Ten) with five goals on the season.

After a scoreless opening half, Oakland got on the board less than a minute after halftime. Abigail Haelewyn played the ball through to Kyla Kellermann, who shot it past netminder Anna Cassell to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats had several opportunities to win the game late, but a pair of shots on goal by Allen in the final ten minutes were saved by Oakland keeper Shannon Coley.

Nicole Jewell took Northwestern's lone shot in overtime, missing high in the 106th minute. Natalie Cikos, Niki Sebo and Julie Sierks each had shots on goal in regulation for the 'Cats.

Cassell made two saves in net for the Wildcats, including one in the first overtime period. Northwestern was outshot by the Grizzlies in the game, 14-13.

"It was a game of different flows and moments where each team had better parts of it and I thought overall it was a good game," Moynihan said. "A little bit disappointed that we couldn’t get that second goal to come out with a win, but to come from behind on the road after playing a tough conference opponent on Friday, we’re happy with the effort.”

Northwestern returns to Big Ten play on Friday, when the 'Cats welcome Penn State to Lakeside Field for a 7 p.m. match.