Northwestern University Athletics

Friday, October 20
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m.

Northwestern

0
vs
2

Michigan State

Senior Night 2017

Northwestern Tripped on Senior Night by No. 9 Michigan State, 2-0

10/20/2017 9:57:00 PM | Men's Soccer

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern's defense held strong for nearly 80 minutes, but No. 9 Michigan State scored a pair of late goals to defeat the Wildcats, 2-0, on Senior Night at Martin Stadium.
   
Northwestern honored the careers of Francisco Tomasino, Riley Kelliher, Elo Ozumba, Rouven Wahlfeldt and John Moderwell. Kelliher, a Wellington, New Zealand native, was surprised by his mother, Tracy, who flew in for the Senior Night ceremony to see Kelliher play for the first time at Martin Stadium.
 
 
The 'Cats had an early chance to open the scoring when Garrett Opperman had a close-range shot blocked following a corner kick from Camden Buescher. Sean Lynch was first to the loose ball and his follow-up effort went just over the net.
 
A tightly-contested first half finished, 0-0, with the visitors recording eight shots to NU's four.
 
The hosts had another great opportunity to score early in the second half when Mattias Tomasino stepped up to take a free kick from just outside the box. His effort was tipped around the post by Michigan State's Jimmy Hague.
 
From the resulting corner kick, the 'Cats threatened again when a downward header by Mac Mazzola was blocked two yards out by an MSU defender.
 
The visitors finally made the breakthrough with under fifteen minutes left in the contest. A well-struck shot from several yards outside the box found the side netting in the 77th minute.
 
Northwestern pushed forward on the attack searching for an equalizer, but the Spartans added another on a counter attack with just three minutes remaining as the match finished 2-0.
 
The contest was a physical battle throughout, with a total of 26 fouls called. Michigan State finished with six shots on target while the Wildcats tallied four. F. Tomasino finished with four saves in the match.
 
Chicago's Big Ten Team will be back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 24. when Loyola visits Martin Stadium for a 4 p.m. kickoff in the home finale.

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