'Cats Win Third Straight, Shutout Rutgers 3-0

10/15/2017 2:29:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern scored a trio of goals in the first half and never looked back, topping Rutgers, 3-0, to pick up its first Big Ten win of the campaign.

Head coach @Tim_Lenahan recaps the #B1Gcats shutout win over Rutgers. https://t.co/VkjGzZvGc7
— Northwestern MSoccer (@NUMensSoccer) October 15, 2017

First year Tommy Katsiyiannis notched the first two-goal game of his career by scoring in the 5^th and 20^th minute, while Mac Mazzola stretched his goal streak to two games by intercepting a pass in the 25^th minute and taking it on net and finishing by the keeper to the left side.

Mazzola and Ty Seager each tallied an assists in the contest.

Northwestern (5-9-0, 1-5-0 B1G) extended its winning streak to three games after beating Western Illinois (10/9/17) and DePaul (10/11/17) earlier this week. Rutgers falls to 3-10-1 on the year and 0-6-0 in league play.

Goalkeeper Robbie White picked up his second shutout of the season and third of his career with seven saves on the day.

The Wildcats earned a corner kick in the 5^th minute to set up their first goal. Camden Buescher crossed in a ball that Mazzola scooped up in the box and put a shot towards net that was blocked. Katsiyiannis was there for the rebound and the goal.

Northwestern doubled its lead in the 20^th minute when Seager took the ball down the nearside of the field and sent a cross into the box to Katsiyiannis. The first-year midfielder ripped a shot that was blocked, but stayed with the loose ball and scored the rebound goal.

Mazzola notched the #B1GCats' third goal in the 25^th minute thanks to aggressive play in Rutgers' final third. Mazzola stole the ball from a Rutgers' defender and took it himself in on net.

This was Northwestern's first Big Ten shutout since blanking Penn State, 1-0, on Oct. 30, 2016.

The Wildcats and the Scarlet Knights each finished the contest with 13 shots.

Northwestern returns to action on Friday, Oct. 20, when Michigan State visits Martin Stadium for Senior Night. The contest is set to begin at 7 p.m. CT.