Monday, September 2
Chicago, Ill.
7 p.m. CT
Northwestern
4-0-0, 0-0-0
1
at
0
UIC
1-3-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Northwestern
1
0
1
UIC
0
0
0
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
‘Cats Stay Perfect, Extinguish Flames, 1-0
9/2/2024 11:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Northwestern’s 4-0 start is its best to a season in program history
EVANSTON, Ill. (September 2, 2024) – Peter Riesz became the seventh different Wildcat to score this season as No. 12 Northwestern continued its perfect start to the 2024 campaign with a 1-0 victory over UIC (1-3) at Flames Field on Chicago's West Side.
Tonight's win sees the Wildcats improve to 4-0 for the first time in program history.
Gallery: (9-2-2024) Men's Soccer at UIC
How It Happened
The 'Cats were dominant for long spells across the opening 45 minutes on a picture-perfect evening in the shadows of downtown Chicago. Early Northwestern pressure nearly paid off in the seventh minute when Thaddaeus Dewing saw his attempt saved at the near post by UIC goalkeeper Oren Asher. Dewing was back in the mix again near the half-hour mark, sending his bicycle attempt off the near post.
End-to-end action in the closing minutes of the first half produced the night's deciding moment. Joshua Torres came within an eyelash of giving the hosts the lead in the 40th minute, latching on to the end of a through ball before sending his attempt off the post. Northwestern cashed in on the other end of the field just over a minute later. Bryant Mayer's cross towards the near post connected with a leaping Riesz, who boxed out a Flames defender and sent his headed effort into the back of the net to give Northwestern a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats threated to add a second eight minutes into the second stanza. After breaking free down the right side, Brandon Clagette unleashed a blast that was blocked away. The ensuing rebound fell to the feet of Riesz, who turned his bid for a brace wide of goal.
Rafael Ponce de León came up with his first stop of the night in the 58th minute, diving at his near post to turn away Rui Reis' volley. The Wildcat netminder came up big again with under a quarter-hour to play when he corralled another Torres effort from close range. Northwestern went on to see off a pair of UIC corner kicks down the stretch as it secured its best start to a season in program history.
Looking At The Numbers
- Riesz's game-winning tally marked the first goal of his collegiate career.
- The sophomore is the seventh different Wildcat to score this season.
- Mayer was credited with his second assist in as many games.
- The 'Cats finished the night with a 16-4 advantage in shots, putting five of their attempts on goal.
- Ponce de León notched a pair of saves en route to his second shutout of 2024.
Up Next
Northwestern closes a brief two-match road swing on Friday, September 6 when it takes on No. 5 Western Michigan at 4:30 p.m. (CT) in Kalamazoo, Mich. The 'Cats are back at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium to host Marquette in a 6 p.m. kickoff on Monday, September 9.
Tonight's win sees the Wildcats improve to 4-0 for the first time in program history.
How It Happened
The 'Cats were dominant for long spells across the opening 45 minutes on a picture-perfect evening in the shadows of downtown Chicago. Early Northwestern pressure nearly paid off in the seventh minute when Thaddaeus Dewing saw his attempt saved at the near post by UIC goalkeeper Oren Asher. Dewing was back in the mix again near the half-hour mark, sending his bicycle attempt off the near post.
End-to-end action in the closing minutes of the first half produced the night's deciding moment. Joshua Torres came within an eyelash of giving the hosts the lead in the 40th minute, latching on to the end of a through ball before sending his attempt off the post. Northwestern cashed in on the other end of the field just over a minute later. Bryant Mayer's cross towards the near post connected with a leaping Riesz, who boxed out a Flames defender and sent his headed effort into the back of the net to give Northwestern a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats threated to add a second eight minutes into the second stanza. After breaking free down the right side, Brandon Clagette unleashed a blast that was blocked away. The ensuing rebound fell to the feet of Riesz, who turned his bid for a brace wide of goal.
Rafael Ponce de León came up with his first stop of the night in the 58th minute, diving at his near post to turn away Rui Reis' volley. The Wildcat netminder came up big again with under a quarter-hour to play when he corralled another Torres effort from close range. Northwestern went on to see off a pair of UIC corner kicks down the stretch as it secured its best start to a season in program history.
Looking At The Numbers
- Riesz's game-winning tally marked the first goal of his collegiate career.
- The sophomore is the seventh different Wildcat to score this season.
- Mayer was credited with his second assist in as many games.
- The 'Cats finished the night with a 16-4 advantage in shots, putting five of their attempts on goal.
- Ponce de León notched a pair of saves en route to his second shutout of 2024.
Up Next
Northwestern closes a brief two-match road swing on Friday, September 6 when it takes on No. 5 Western Michigan at 4:30 p.m. (CT) in Kalamazoo, Mich. The 'Cats are back at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium to host Marquette in a 6 p.m. kickoff on Monday, September 9.
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Team Stats
NU
UIC
Goals
1
0
Shots
16
4
Shots on Goal
5
2
Saves
2
4
Corners
5
6
Fouls
13
7
Scoring Plays
Peter Riesz (1)
Assisted By: Bryant Mayer
GOAL by NU Riesz, Peter Assist by Mayer, Bryant.
40:08
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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