Northwestern University Athletics
Thursday, October 30
West Lafayette, Ind.
6:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern
9-3-7, 4-2-5
1
vs
0
USC
7-7-3, 4-5-2
1
2
F
Southern California
0
0
0
Northwestern
0
1
1
'Cats Blank Trojans, Advance to Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals
10/30/2025 10:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Megan Norkett's 85th-minute goal propelled Northwestern to a 1-0 win over USC in the First Round of the 2025 Big Ten Women's Soccer Tournament on Thursday evening at Folk Field.
First-year goalkeeper Nyamma Nelson collected her 10th shutout of the season, the most by a Northwestern first-year goalkeeper in program history. Nelson's 10 clean sheets lead the Big Ten and are the fourth-most by a Wildcat goalkeeper in school history. NU's 10 shutouts are its most in a season since 2022.
Northwestern controlled the run of play in the early stages of the first half, recording the first six shots of the contest and holding USC without a shot for the first 27 minutes.
NU's best chance of the first half came on a free kick in the 25th minute, when Caterina Regazzoni's attempt from 20 yards out narrowly missed the Trojan net, just feet away from the same spot she converted a free kick from on Oct. 19 against Purdue.
The Wildcats headed into the break with a 7-2 edge in shots, but were unable to net the opener in the first 45 minutes.
USC (7-7-3, 4-5-2 Big Ten) opened the second half on the front foot, challenging the Northwestern defense and continuing to build offensively, but the NU defense was up to the task, keeping the Trojans off the scoreboard. Nelson tallied a career-high eight saves in the contest, matching her eight saves in a 1-1 draw at Washington on Sept. 18.
After 40 minutes of back-and-forth second half action that saw both teams combine for 18 shots, Megan Norkett finally broke the deadlock. The Naperville, Ill. native, pounced on an errant Trojan pass and beat her defender to create a golden chance. Norkett made no mistake, slotting the game-winner past the USC goalkeeper for her second goal of the season and second career game-winner.
With the win, Northwestern advances to the 2025 Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal on Sunday, Nov. 2. NU will take on No. 9 Michigan State at 2:30 p.m. CT from Folk Field in West Lafayette.
Northwestern (9-3-7, 4-2-5 Big Ten) extended its unbeaten streak to five consecutive games with the win.MOVING ON ?? pic.twitter.com/e0jXCNvmGd
— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) October 31, 2025
First-year goalkeeper Nyamma Nelson collected her 10th shutout of the season, the most by a Northwestern first-year goalkeeper in program history. Nelson's 10 clean sheets lead the Big Ten and are the fourth-most by a Wildcat goalkeeper in school history. NU's 10 shutouts are its most in a season since 2022.
Northwestern controlled the run of play in the early stages of the first half, recording the first six shots of the contest and holding USC without a shot for the first 27 minutes.
NU's best chance of the first half came on a free kick in the 25th minute, when Caterina Regazzoni's attempt from 20 yards out narrowly missed the Trojan net, just feet away from the same spot she converted a free kick from on Oct. 19 against Purdue.
The Wildcats headed into the break with a 7-2 edge in shots, but were unable to net the opener in the first 45 minutes.
USC (7-7-3, 4-5-2 Big Ten) opened the second half on the front foot, challenging the Northwestern defense and continuing to build offensively, but the NU defense was up to the task, keeping the Trojans off the scoreboard. Nelson tallied a career-high eight saves in the contest, matching her eight saves in a 1-1 draw at Washington on Sept. 18.
After 40 minutes of back-and-forth second half action that saw both teams combine for 18 shots, Megan Norkett finally broke the deadlock. The Naperville, Ill. native, pounced on an errant Trojan pass and beat her defender to create a golden chance. Norkett made no mistake, slotting the game-winner past the USC goalkeeper for her second goal of the season and second career game-winner.
With the win, Northwestern advances to the 2025 Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal on Sunday, Nov. 2. NU will take on No. 9 Michigan State at 2:30 p.m. CT from Folk Field in West Lafayette.
Team Stats
USC
NWU
Goals
0
1
Shots
17
12
Shots on Goal
8
5
Saves
4
8
Corners
5
1
Fouls
7
8
Scoring Plays
Megan Norkett (2)
GOAL by NWU Norkett, Megan.
84:50
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerM
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