Somehow NU's football team is 3-0 and ranked 17th in the country, but those aren't the only 'Cats who have been "spread(ing) far the fame" on campus this year. Check out what these other fall sports have been up to over the last month and where they stand as they look towards potential postseason play.
Field Hockey by Andy Brown
After starting the season ranked 10th in the country, the field hockey team has yet to disappoint, with its only three losses coming to teams ranked in the top-10 (to No. 1 UConn, No. 5 Boston College and No. 10 Maryland). The 'Cats (7-3, 0-1 B1G) are paced offensively by Isabel Flens, a junior midfielder from The Netherlands. Flens has scored a team-leading nine goals this season, which is good for second in the B1G. But in two of the Wildcats' three losses, Flens has been held goal-less. As far as goal-prevention is concerned, Lindsay von der Luft has been solid, racking up 31 saves and allowing just 1.4 goals per game, which is also good for second best in the conference. Despite the team's strong start, the 'Cats are tied for last in the B1G by virtue of their 3-2 loss to Maryland last Friday. NU has six conference games left to climb out of that small hole over the next month. The 'Cats also play four straight games at home during one stretch before the B1G Tournament starts on Nov. 5 in Bloomington, Indiana. But really, the question isn't if the 'Cats will make the NCAA Tournament, but how far they will go when they get there. Men's basketball, take notes.
Next home game: October 2 vs. Iowa
Men's soccer by Jason Mast
One day, Northwestern’s new athletic facilities may attract a legion of young stars. But for now, the school’s construction bonanza is temporarily leaving its teams without a home-field advantage. Construction on Lakeside Field has relocated the men's soccer team to Toyota Park, home of MLS’ Chicago Fire in Bridgeview, at least an hour drive from campus, where the 'Cats are 2-0 despite an overall record of 2-3-1 (1-1-0 B1G). Ultimately, the team's success depends on whether longtime star Joey Calistri and new goalkeeper Zak Allen can compensate for the conference's most porous defense. Calistri has led the team in goals every year he's played for NU and sits four goals shy of the school record. Allen is charged with replacing Tyler Miller, who graduated last year and is now playing for the USL's Seattle Sounders FC 2. The senior already leads the conference in saves per game – a reflection of both Allen’s strengths and the defense’s struggles. Northwestern has allowed the most shots and shots on goal in the Big Ten. If Calistri and Allen can continue to perform, the Wildcats should be headed to their fifth straight NCAA Tournament, but unless NU can dam up the defense, a deep run may be out of reach.
Next "home" game: September 27 vs. Indiana
Women's soccer by Andy Brown
The women's soccer team has also had its home games moved down to Toyota Park due to Lakeside Field's renovations, but the change of scenery has done little to deter the Wildcats' wave of momentum after their stunning upset of top-seeded Penn State in last year's B1G Tournament. NU has done nothing but dominate since they temporarily moved to distant Bridgeview and basically became Northwest Indiana's Big Ten Team, starting the season 7-1-2 (1-0-1 B1G) and not allowing a goal in six of its first ten games. Much of this stout defensive effort can be attributed to sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Clem, who has showed marked improvement after starting all of last season as a freshman. Clem has upped her save percentage from 82.2 percent to 88.9 percent this season, and has allowed just four goals this year after allowing 18 last year. On the offensive side of things, junior forward Addie Steiner has taken the reigns for the 'Cats, leading the team in shots on goal by a landslide with 17. This should come as no surprise since she led the team in goals last year with 10, four of which were game-winners. As the 26th-ranked team in the country, Northwestern probably isn't going to sneak up on anybody anymore, so the 'Cats are potentially poised to make an NCAA Tournament run.
Next "home" game: September 24 vs. Maryland
Volleyball by Austin Siegel
Northwestern football isn't the only team tearing it up at the corner of Central Street and Ashland Avenue, as the volleyball team has also gotten off to a hot start in 2015. After sweeping through the Wildcat Challenge – a tournament that welcomed non-conference foes Lipscomb and Milwaukee to Welsh-Ryan Arena – Northwestern begins Big Ten play this weekend with two games on the road against Rutgers and Maryland. Even after an impressive 8-3 start, the 'Cats are still underdogs in a highly competitive Big Ten that's easily the best volleyball conference in the nation. But coach Keylor Chan has led Northwestern to several NCAA Tournament appearances in his time at the school, and made the 'Cats consistent contenders for the conference title. Super sophomores Gabrielle Hazen, Taylor Tashima and Symone Abbott have been huge for the 'Cats in 2015, with Hazen setting a new career-high in kills almost every week and Tashima racking up 37 assists in the win over Milwaukee. Abbott has led Northwestern on defense, notching a double-double (with 10 kills and 10 blocks) in a win over New Hampshire earlier this season.
Next home game: October 9 vs. Ohio State