Football was an emotional rollercoaster this year, but there’s plenty to gloat about in the other Wildcat athletics. Take a look at some of the superlatives that won’t leave you with that post-bowl woe.
Most Intimidating: Volleyball’s Sabel Moffett
If you were at a volleyball game this year, you may have taken notice of No. 17, Sabel Moffett. The senior middle blocker, fresh from an offseason in which she participated with the National A2 Team, helped Northwestern to its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2005 alongside a veteran squad. Other accolades include a national ranking and a 5-5 record against ranked teams, but that which makes Moffett a force to behold is nothing in the numbers.
Grace and brute strength are seldom compatible, but Moffett brings the two together in a split-second sequence, spiking the ball with such force that it seems impossible to defend the blast. The aerial spectacles that come a few times a match are purely entertaining for Wildcat fans and impending terror for opponents, punctuated with a Moffett growl that’s as sublime of a Wildcat growl as you can get.
Star-crossed team: Women’s soccer
Women’s soccer looked to be on the rebound after a 7-10-2 record during the 2009 campaign, but the squad was dogged by misfortune after misfortune en route to a 6-10-3 record this past fall. Despite an early season win against then-No.3 UCLA, the Wildcats struggled to build momentum from their 2-0-1 start, accruing a 3-9 record in games decided by a single goal. Northwestern loses six seniors to graduation going into next season, but will look to Big Ten All-Freshman Kate Allen and company to steady the ship and come through in close games.
Freshman of the year: Field Hockey’s Nikki Parsley
A team effort raised field hockey’s profile to an 11-9 season this past fall, but a focal point of the offensive came from Nikki Parsley. The Delaware native recorded eight goals and 21 points, second on the team, and was instrumental in giving Northwestern a fighting chance to a share of the Big Ten title. Parsley earned second-team All-West Region accolades alongside sophomore standout Chelsea Armstrong, combining as a deadly offensive weapon for seasons to come.
Gutsiest marketing move: Football
A classic case of foot-in-mouth, the billboards and ads that declared Northwestern as “Chicago’s Big Ten Team” proved ironic, with a tinge of hubris, after falling to Illinois in the now-infamous Wrigley Game. Never mind the result of the game — matches without standout Dan Persa ought to warrant themselves asterisks — the lack of foresight left a few national talking heads with too much ammo to retaliate. From the endzone measurement debacle, to the legal stalemate behind the team’s ill-fated El train ride to Wrigleyville, Northwestern definitely brought out the fanfare, but this was a classic case of high-risk, high-reward.
Northwestern brought out the billboards a second time in Dallas for the TicketCity Bowl, but despite the loss, Northwestern put on an entertaining show for the football congregation down south. Time will tell if the injection of funds produces a solid return on investment, but Athletics Director Jim Phillips and Mike Polisky are well on their way to validating their motto. This year just wasn’t meant to be for that motto.