Soccer update: Tough week (surprise, surprise) for the ‘Cats

It was a down week for both of Northwestern’s soccer teams, who weren’t able to get three points in any of their five combined matchups. The women’s squad went 0-1-1, while the men dropped three contests with an overall goal differential of negative seven.

There was some good news to start the week, however, as sophomore Mackenzie Wood and freshman Danika Austin both received Big Ten honors. Wood, a Granger, Indiana native, was named goalkeeper of the week after helping NU to a shutout of Nebraska and making 12 saves in a 2-1 win over Iowa. Austin was named Defensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week after game-winning goal and a key assist in the contests.

The good news wouldn’t continue for the team, however, as a 0-0 draw at home against Purdue was followed up by a 2-0 defeat at Rutgers. The results dropped the ‘Cats to 4-6-2 (2-2-1 B1G) and eighth in the conference, hanging on to a spot in the conference tournament by a thread. The Wildcats will look to capitalize on their four home games in the last six matchups of the season, starting with a showdown against Michigan State on Friday.

On the other side, the men’s team rode a five game unbeaten streak into the week, but the tide quickly turned against the group’s success. The ‘Cats lost 3-1 to No. 8 Indiana before getting walloped 3-0 in Ann Arbor against Michigan and falling 2-0 to Loyola.

NU responded well to an early deficit against the Hoosiers, evening the game up at one after a stunner from Achara Jr. A disappointing second half led to two Indiana goals, including a frustrating and slightly unlucky own goal, and ultimately a defeat for the ‘Cats.

The ‘Cats aimed to rebound from the loss with a good result at Michigan, but they were thoroughly outplayed in the defeat. NU returned to Evanston on Wednesday to take on the Loyola Ramblers, before falling once again, this time 2-0.

NU is now 5-6-1 (1-2-1) and seventh in the conference. It returns to conference play on Saturday in Happy Valley to take on Penn State.