The day began with honoring the winningest Big Ten soccer class Northwestern has ever seen. The team had not lost a conference game since the Big Ten Tournament in 2010.
“This is the best Big Ten team we have ever had,” said Northwestern's head coach Tim Lenahan. “We won four [Big Ten] games in the first 15 years, to put that into perspective.”
That all changed with a goal by the Penn State in the game's second overtime. Six minutes before the game would have been called a draw, the Nittany Lions' Hasani Sinclair quickly streaked up the field and lobbed the ball gracefully to score the deciding goal.
The game was not always one of ball control, as both teams shot up and down each sideline. Each team frequently turned the ball over, especially in the second half. Lenahan said Penn State played with a pushed up defensive line, to force Northwestern to kick the ball over the top of their defenders and create a footrace to the ball and net.
While Lenahan was not content with the outcome of the match, he did see some positives in Northwestern’s game play.
“We had large periods of the ball,“ Lenahan said. “We managed the game. We controlled the game very well, particularly in the first half.”
Northwestern led 13-4 in shots taken by the end of regulation, but could not capitalize on their opportunities. Andrew Wolverton, the Nittany Lions' goalkeeper, saved five shots on goal and had many key blocks. Northwestern goalkeeper Tyler Miller was not as strong statistically, with one goal saved and one goal allowed.
Miller outshone Wolverton when the ball was passed back to him and seemed more able to send the ball downfield. In the second half, Miller delivered a pass two-thirds of the way downfield to the feet of an awaiting forward.
Northwestern also led 6-3 in corner kicks during the game and had some missed opportunities.
With two conference games still on the schedule this season, the senior class is currently 12-6-4 in conference play over the past four seasons. Northwestern has one more regular season home game, a non-conference matchup against Northern Illinois on Wednesday.