Volleyball
In a five-set match, the Wildcats failed to pull out a win against the Indiana Hoosiers, falling to 3-7 in Big Ten Play. Freshman Taylor Tashima led the way in scoring with 14 kills, followed closely by freshman Symone Abbott and sophomore Kayla Morin, who each had 13. Taylor was also tied with sophomore Caleigh Ryan for the most NU assists in the match with 26 assists apiece.
Grade: Extremely close sets, but a loss is a loss. Volleyball gets a C+ for effort.
Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving
Both the men’s and women’s dive team won their double dual meets against University of Illinois at Chicago and Oakland University this Saturday.
The men’s team beat UIC with a score of 179-112 and outlasted Oakland 155-134. Junior Jordan Wilimovsky continues to rock the 1000-yard freestyle race, scorching his competition with a time 9:09.27, 37 seconds faster than the next best finisher. Diver Andrew Cramer, a sophomore, placed first with 347 points, qualifying him for NCAAs.
On the women’s side, NU dominated UIC 211-86 and squashed Oakland 180-111. The Wildcats B, C and A 200 medley relay squads took first, second and third, respectively, in the meet's first event. Sophomore Lauren Abruzzo and freshman Sydney Modeas helped NU’s women’s team also dominate the 1000-yard freestyle. The ‘Cats placed first in ten of 16 events at the meet.
Grade: Pure domination from start to finish from both the men’s and women’s team. Both men’s and women’s swimming and diving get an A.
Field Hockey
In a 4-1 victory over Ohio State, the No. 9 Wildcats continue to dominate Big Ten play. Four ‘Cats scored goals in the win this past Saturday, and goalie Maddy Carpenter, a senior, had three saves during the game. Northwestern is tied atop the Big Ten standings with Maryland, and only a game against No. 4 Penn State stands in their way of at least a share of the Big Ten title.
Grade: Dear field hockey, we – your fans – would like you to win a Big Ten title. In the meantime, you get an A.
Women’s Soccer
The Wildcats continued on their recent success with a 2-0 win against Michigan State at Lakeside Field this Saturday. After a team total of 19 shots, only nine on goal, it was junior Nandi Mehta and sophomore Maria Grygleski who each put in a goal during the ‘Cats victory. Freshmen goalkeeper Lauren Clem, with three saves, recorded her seventh shutout of the year.
Grade: 19 shots seems a little excessive, but a win’s a win. Women’s soccer gets an A.
Fencing
While hosting the United States Fencing Association Remenyik Open this weekend, the fencing squad continued to show off their dominate skills. Sophomore Cindy Oh placed first in the junior women’s sabre and second place in the senior women’s sabre, while sophomore Mandeep Bhinder took second in the senior women’s epee. Overall, 11 ‘Cats placed in the top ten of their events.
Grade: What could I possibly complain about? “Seriously Cindy Oh, why didn’t you win both the junior and senior sabre events?” You guys get an A.
Men’s Soccer
In a close match against No. 10 Michigan State, sophomore Mike Roberge shot the equalizer off a rebound from junior Cole Missimo’s missed shot, turning the game into a 1-1 stalemate that ended in a draw. The No. 25 Wildcats are now 3-1-2 in Big Ten play, and only have three games remaining before the Big Ten tournament.
Grade: Didn’t win, didn’t lose. Exciting game, but took it down to the wire, didn’t we men’s soccer? You get a B.