October 21, 2012
HEADS UP
Sebo gives Northwestern win over Iowa

EVANSTON, Ill. – Niki Sebo’s header in the 86th minute gave Northwestern a 1-0 win over Iowa, sending the Wildcats seniors out in style on Sunday at Lakeside Field

“The feeling of winning is addictive and the players are just hungry,” Northwestern head coach Michael Moynihan said. “They’ve been working really hard and they want to see reward for that work that they’ve been putting in; whether that leads to a spot in the Big Ten Tournament or just a W, I don’t know that it really matters to them at this point, it just feels good. I think they like they progress that we’ve made and they want to just keep building on it. It didn’t take a whole lot from me to get them motivated to come out here today and when you add in the Senior Day celebration, they wanted to send them off on a good note.”

Neither team was able to generate many chances in the first half as the Wildcats finished with five shots compared to three for the Hawkeyes. The NU defense kept Iowa from finding any quality looks on net as both teams were fairly even on possession in the first frame. Both teams had one shot on goal as NU keeper Anna Cassell and Iowa goalie Meg Goodson each finished the first with one save.

Iowa switched keepers at halftime with Hannah Clark playing the second half in net. Northwestern challenged Clark early with two quality chances within the first five minutes of the frame. Junior Kate Allen sent in a free kick towards the goal and Clark was there to make the save, but she mishandled the ball, giving Sebo another chance from inside the 6-yard box that went just wide past the left post.

The Hawkeyes picked up the pace on offense and responded with six-straight shots before NU got another look in the 74th minute when junior Nicole Jewell’s shot was saved by Clark.

Once again, the Northwestern defense battled through the Hawkeye attempts and the Wildcats broke through in the 86th minute with the lone goal of the match. Freshman defender Jennifer Korn set up the goal, sending a pass from the far left side across the box to the far post where Sebo was positioned perfectly on the right side of the net for the goal. She sent a header from inside the 6-yard box into the far post past Clark, tallying her fourth goal of the season.

Iowa finished with the slight 12-11 edge on shots with the 9-6 lead in the second half.
Cassell played all 90 minutes in net for Northwestern and recorded her first shutout of the season and third of the year for the ’Cats, making three saves in the process.

After back-to-back Big Ten wins, Northwestern, plays its final regular-season match Saturday, Oct. 27 at Michigan State at noon CT.