The Wildcats have all but punched their ticket to college soccer’s version of the “Big Dance.” Now, all they’ve got to do is keep showing off their moves.
The No. 19 Northwestern Wildcats traveled to New Jersey on Saturday to take on Rutgers and came away with a 2-0 win. Cole Missimo and Mike Roberge scored for the ‘Cats, who bounced back nicely after falling to Notre Dame on the road earlier in the week.
Neither team could do much in the first half, as the ‘Cats picked up two yellow cards and provided the Scarlet Knights with plenty of opportunities to open the scoring. But, as he’s done all season, senior goalkeeper Tyler Miller was an absolute wall for Northwestern. He picked up his Big Ten-leading eight shutout of the season and padded his school record for shutouts with his 35th career clean sheet.
The ‘Cats broke through in the second half, as sophomore Drew Rosenberg found Missimo on a cross to give Northwestern a 1-0 lead. It was Missimo’s fifth goal of the season as he continues to power the ‘Cats offensively.
Rutgers managed to stay in the game until the 81st minute, when sophomore Mike Roberge settled matters for Northwestern with his first goal of the season and gave the ‘Cats a 2-0 lead. That score would go final minutes later, as the ‘Cats picked up a key conference win late in the regular season.
With the victory, Northwestern improves to 7-2-4 overall with four regular season games remaining before the Big Ten tournament. The ‘Cats will play Michigan State and Loyola away before returning to Lakeside Field on Nov. 2 for a conference clash with Penn State.