The ball is rolling and the gloves are on. As Northwestern women’s and men’s soccer are well underway, here is an overview of the Wildcats’ fortune during the first month of the regular season.

Women’s Soccer (5-5-2, 0-3-1 B1G)

Aug. 15 at Boston (WIN: 3-2)

For their season opener, the Wildcats faced the Boston Terriers in an away game. At halftime, they led the game 3-0, and went on to win 3-2. Goals were scored by second-year forward Megan Norkett, third-year midfielder Caterina Regazzoni and first-year forward Kennedy Roesch.

Aug. 18 at Virginia (LOSS: 2-0)

In a second away game to start out the season, the Wildcats traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia. They fell 2-0 against a Cavaliers team that dominated in the beginning of the first half, with the 'Cats first goal finding the back of the net at the ninth minute. While the Wildcats didn't trail behind in effort, tallying eight shots compared to the Cavelier’s nine, it wasn't enough to even things up.

Aug. 22 v. Marquette (WIN: 2-0)

This was the Wildcats' first home game of the season at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. To start, Roesch scored her second Northwestern goal of the season, with a kick towards the left side of the net. Minutes before the end of the first half, graduate midfielder Josie Aulicino made it 2-0 with a penalty kick – she led with a team high of five shots. In a game that kept the Golden Eagles at only three shots, the Wildcats knew how to get past them and control the match.

Aug. 25 v. Toledo (WIN: 1-0)

After a first half without much ball action, Regazzoni’s header at the 55 minute mark was enough to secure a third regular season win, their second at home. The Wildcats would continue to outperform their rival in shots, this time making it 13-4.

Aug. 29 at Syracuse (LOSS: 1-0)

The Wildcats traveled to Syracuse after completing two successful home wins. They dominated throughout the full match, outshooting Syracuse 17-4, with 8-1 shots on goal, but Syracuse’s only goal during the 17th minute was enough for the Orange to take the win.

Sept. 5 at Illinois State (WIN: 4-0)

The Wildcats’ largest margin of victory this season so far, they got past the Redbirds in their own backyard. Roesch opened up the scoring at the 14th minute, making this her third career goal in just six games played. Up 3-0, Aulicino found the net and sealed the game at the 78th minute with a phenomenal free kick, providing the most individual shots, with four, and shots on goal, with three, in this game.

Sept. 8 v. No. 21 Virginia Tech (WIN: 1-0)

In their first win against a ranked opponent since October 2022, the Wildcats won their fourth game of the regular season without receiving goals from the opponent. A shot from Regazzoni aimed at the bottom center of the net was sufficient to lead the Wildcats to victory.

Sept. 12 v. Purdue (LOSS: 2-0)

In their first conference game of the season, the Wildcats started out rough. Although far outpacing Purdue in shots (20-7) and corner kicks (12-2), the Wildcats had a hard time finding the right shot past the goalkeeper. In the end, the Boilermakers granted them their first conference loss.

Sept. 15 v. Harvard (TIE: 1-1)

After trailing the opponent since the fifth minute of play, the Wildcats got back on track. From outshooting their opponent – for the eighth time this season – to threatening the box on various occasions, a shot from Roesch in the 78th minute secured a tie for the Wildcats.

Sept. 19 at No. 9 Penn State (LOSS: 1-0)

The Wildcats tasted defeat in their second conference game. After an even first half, the Nittany Lions broke the tie early on in the second half, with a shot on goal at the 48th minute. The Wildcats had a difficult time leveling that, outscored by Penn State in shots (14-7).

Sept. 22 at No. 17 Ohio State (LOSS: 2-1)

The Wildcats were handed their second consecutive loss against a ranked team this season. Early in the second half, they took the lead with a header from fourth-year defender Emma Phillips. However, they only held onto it until the final minutes of the match, when the Buckeyes notched two goals in less than five minutes.

Sept. 26 v. Maryland (TIE: 0-0)

The Wildcats earned a second draw this season, this time against the Terrapins at home. In a game where neither team saw the ball hit the back of the net, the Wildcats still continued to do what they have done best throughout the season: outshoot the opponent. The Wildcats tallied an impressive 20 shots, compared to Maryland’s six; they kept the Terrapin’s fourth-year goalkeeper Liz Beardsley on her toes, as she made eight saves throughout the game.

Men’s Soccer (5-4-0, 0-3-0 B1G)

Aug. 22 v. Green Bay (WIN: 2-0)

The Wildcats kicked off their regular season at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. After an error from the Phoenix defense, fourth-year midfielder Paul Son intercepted a pass and scored the first goal of the season in less than three minutes of play. Almost two minutes before halftime, a kick from graduate midfielder Joe Suchecki landed in the left corner of the net, making it his first ever goal as a Wildcat. With a whopping 18 shots, compared to Green Bay’s four, the Wildcats sealed their first season home game with a win.

Aug. 25 v. DePaul (WIN: 2-1)

The Wildcats continued their first few games at home, this time facing the Blue Demons.

In a first half where both teams applied pressure and tried luck in attempted shots, the first goal did not come until the 32nd minute, with an exhilarating header from Northwestern second-year forward Italo Addimandi. This was his first career goal, after making his first assist in the home opener. In the second half, third-year midfielder Jason Gajadhar’s left footer tallied up another goal for the Wildcats at the 56th minute. A goal from the Blue Demons four minutes before full time kept Northwestern alert, but would not be enough.

Aug. 30 v. Drake (WIN: 2-1)

In an end to their three-match homestand, the Wildcats came into this game ranked No. 12 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll. Things started a bit rough, as the Bulldogs converted a penalty kick in the 21st minute and led into the second half. However, a red card handed to Drake’s third-year defender Eskil Gjerde at the 79th minute gave the Wildcats a player advantage. Moments later, a shot on goal by fourth-year midfielder Collin McCamy kept Northwestern in the game. To place the cherry on top, second-year midfielder Tyler Glassberg scored a header, his first career goal as a Wildcat, to finalize the game in a 2-1 win.

Sept. 2 at UIC (WIN: 1-0)

In their first away game of the season, the Wildcats took control. While there were moments where the Flames caught them off guard – their only shot hit the post – a header from second-year midfielder Peter Riesz was enough to end the first 45 minutes with a lead. The Wildcats started out the season with a 4-0-0 record for the first time in program history.

Sept. 6 at No. 4 Western Michigan (LOSS: 1-0)

Ranked No. 9 prior to this away game, it was a top 10 clash against No. 4 Western Michigan. Still, little action from the Wildcats cost them an early defeat in the regular season, with a 47th minute strike from the Broncos. Despite tying in shots on goal, with three, one goal against would be enough for full time.

Sept. 9 v. Marquette (WIN: 1-0)

Still No. 9, the Wildcats welcomed the Golden Eagles to Evanston. After a first half scarce in dangerous plays, with both teams tying in shots, with five, a corner kick by McCamy preceded a header by third-year defender Nigel Prince at the 83rd minute. After a previous small trip up, the Wildcats got back on track with the late win.

Sept. 13 v. UCLA (LOSS: 1-0)

Down to No. 14, things would not look good for the Wildcats as they welcomed UCLA to their first ever conference game in the Big Ten. In a fresh start of a game, a penalty kick from the Bruins at the 8th minute was enough to count out the Wildcats for what was left. Tripling UCLA in shots (15-5), the Wildcats put in the effort, but UCLA’s third-year goalkeeper Sam Joseph got his own way, making five saves throughout.

Sept. 20 at Washington (LOSS: 2-0)

Descending to No. 20, the Wildcats suffered their second consecutive conference loss in Seattle, Washington. With the opponent scoring at the 20th and 86th minute mark, the Wildcats did not have many tricks up their sleeve throughout the game. Third-year goalkeeper Rafael Ponce de León matched his career-high five saves, but Northwestern was outshot by Washington in overall shots (11-8) and shots on goal (7-4).

Sept. 27 v. Maryland  (LOSS: 2-1)
The Wildcats could not overcome a Terrapins team that took advantage of every opportunity given. On Northwestern’s Alumni Night, Maryland came as a shock in the first half, scoring two goals in less than five minutes. Although third-year forward Christopher Thaggard’s 64th minute goal gave the Wildcats a light of hope, they struggled to find the back of the net a second time.

What’s next?

As both teams have had a fair share of victories and defeats thus far – men’s soccer being more of a surprise after an impressive 2023 season – they will now have to make every remaining game count, as they enter the final stretch of conference matches. Their performance will determine whether they rescue a spot for the Big Ten Tournament, or if their chances of missing out are higher.

Thumbnail photo by AJ Anderson/North by Northwestern