Thursday, August 21
Evanston, Ill.
6:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern
1-0-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
0
Eastern Illinois
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Eastern Ill.
0
0
0
Northwestern
0
2
2
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Riesz’s Brace Guides Northwestern To 2-0 Victory Over Eastern Illinois In 2025 Opener
8/21/2025 10:05:00 PM | Men's Soccer
'Cats win third straight season opener
By: Jake Epstein, NUSports.com
EVANSTON, Ill. (August 21, 2025) — Junior forward Peter Riesz captured coach Russell Payne's full attention from the moment he reported for Northwestern men's soccer preseason.
"It's the fittest he's ever shown up," Payne said. "He showed up fitter and stronger than he's ever been. I could tell from the moment I saw him in July — he was ready."
With the Wildcats (1-0) battling Eastern Illinois in Thursday night's season opener at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, Riesz bagged a second-half brace to lead Northwestern to a 2-0 victory. The result marked the Wildcats' third straight season-opening win.
Last season, Riesz scored his lone goal — the first of his career — in a 1-0 win at UIC. He featured in 11 matches as a substitute, but the Budapest, Hungary native desired far more in 2025.
"Last year was a little bit harder, and I'm really looking forward to this year," Riesz said. "I really feel confident in my position. I hope this is just the beginning."
While Payne gave Riesz the opening day nod at striker, he also threw a flurry of newcomers into the fire. Three first-years — Andrew Johnson, Evrit Fisher and Aaron O'Reilly — earned spots in Thursday's starting 11, and Payne commended their preparedness for collegiate action postgame.
Payne also shifted junior defender Fritz Volmar, a typical fixture at left back, into a central defensive role. There, Volmar and senior defender Nigel Prince commanded backline proceedings, helping Rafael Ponce de León secure his eighth career clean sheet.
"He's one of the best defenders in this league and has been since his freshman year," Payne said of Volmar. "Guys like that, you can put anywhere across the backline and they're going to win games for you. Fritz didn't even blink an eye moving to center back."
Volmar, who hadn't played the position in official competition in more than three years, helped solidify a stingy defensive effort that resulted in just two total shots and none on target.
"I wanted to do whatever I could to put my team in position to win," Volmar said. "The past few years, we've prided ourselves on not giving up goals — no open play goals — and today we got that result. I'm really happy to be in the lineup at center back, supporting the team to get a win."
The Wildcats outshot the Panthers 10-2 in the first half, but Payne's squad couldn't find the critical end product. Visiting goalkeeper Franco Barba tallied six first-half saves.
But after Manuel Cordeiro picked up his second yellow card in the 45th minute, Northwestern was set for a full 45 minutes with a man-advantage.
Behind a dogged effort, the Panthers held off the Wildcats for more than 20 minutes of second-half play. During that phase, Riesz recharged his fitness as he prepared to make an imprint on the match. Payne turned to the forward in the 67th minute.
"It was really hard coming off at halftime with a few missed opportunities, and the keeper made some good saves," Riesz said. "I was riding the bike, and I was 100% sure that if I got the opportunity again, I'll come on and score a goal."
Just two minutes after re-entering the match, Riesz hoisted himself free in the opposing box to meet midfielder Joe Suchecki's lofted cross. The Hungarian headed home his first goal of the season, beating Barba at the back post. He then kissed both wrists, leaping toward the far corner flag in celebration.
With another powerful header, Riesz added a crucial insurance goal in the 81st minute. O'Reilly, making his first collegiate appearance, nabbed his first career assist on the cross after Jayvin Van Deventer slotted a ball to the Naperville, Ill., native.
For Payne, Riesz's performance marked the potential launching pad of a breakout junior season.
"He wants to be the No. 9 for this team," Payne said. "He wants to score goals. He wants to help win a Big Ten Championship. This is as focused as Peter has ever been. I'm so excited for him."
Northwestern will be back in action Sunday afternoon when it hosts Air Force in a 1 p.m. CT kickoff at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
Gallery: (8-21-2025) Men's Soccer vs. Eastern Illinois
EVANSTON, Ill. (August 21, 2025) — Junior forward Peter Riesz captured coach Russell Payne's full attention from the moment he reported for Northwestern men's soccer preseason.
"It's the fittest he's ever shown up," Payne said. "He showed up fitter and stronger than he's ever been. I could tell from the moment I saw him in July — he was ready."
With the Wildcats (1-0) battling Eastern Illinois in Thursday night's season opener at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, Riesz bagged a second-half brace to lead Northwestern to a 2-0 victory. The result marked the Wildcats' third straight season-opening win.
Last season, Riesz scored his lone goal — the first of his career — in a 1-0 win at UIC. He featured in 11 matches as a substitute, but the Budapest, Hungary native desired far more in 2025.
"Last year was a little bit harder, and I'm really looking forward to this year," Riesz said. "I really feel confident in my position. I hope this is just the beginning."
While Payne gave Riesz the opening day nod at striker, he also threw a flurry of newcomers into the fire. Three first-years — Andrew Johnson, Evrit Fisher and Aaron O'Reilly — earned spots in Thursday's starting 11, and Payne commended their preparedness for collegiate action postgame.
Payne also shifted junior defender Fritz Volmar, a typical fixture at left back, into a central defensive role. There, Volmar and senior defender Nigel Prince commanded backline proceedings, helping Rafael Ponce de León secure his eighth career clean sheet.
"He's one of the best defenders in this league and has been since his freshman year," Payne said of Volmar. "Guys like that, you can put anywhere across the backline and they're going to win games for you. Fritz didn't even blink an eye moving to center back."
Volmar, who hadn't played the position in official competition in more than three years, helped solidify a stingy defensive effort that resulted in just two total shots and none on target.
"I wanted to do whatever I could to put my team in position to win," Volmar said. "The past few years, we've prided ourselves on not giving up goals — no open play goals — and today we got that result. I'm really happy to be in the lineup at center back, supporting the team to get a win."
The Wildcats outshot the Panthers 10-2 in the first half, but Payne's squad couldn't find the critical end product. Visiting goalkeeper Franco Barba tallied six first-half saves.
But after Manuel Cordeiro picked up his second yellow card in the 45th minute, Northwestern was set for a full 45 minutes with a man-advantage.
Behind a dogged effort, the Panthers held off the Wildcats for more than 20 minutes of second-half play. During that phase, Riesz recharged his fitness as he prepared to make an imprint on the match. Payne turned to the forward in the 67th minute.
"It was really hard coming off at halftime with a few missed opportunities, and the keeper made some good saves," Riesz said. "I was riding the bike, and I was 100% sure that if I got the opportunity again, I'll come on and score a goal."
Just two minutes after re-entering the match, Riesz hoisted himself free in the opposing box to meet midfielder Joe Suchecki's lofted cross. The Hungarian headed home his first goal of the season, beating Barba at the back post. He then kissed both wrists, leaping toward the far corner flag in celebration.
With another powerful header, Riesz added a crucial insurance goal in the 81st minute. O'Reilly, making his first collegiate appearance, nabbed his first career assist on the cross after Jayvin Van Deventer slotted a ball to the Naperville, Ill., native.
For Payne, Riesz's performance marked the potential launching pad of a breakout junior season.
"He wants to be the No. 9 for this team," Payne said. "He wants to score goals. He wants to help win a Big Ten Championship. This is as focused as Peter has ever been. I'm so excited for him."
Northwestern will be back in action Sunday afternoon when it hosts Air Force in a 1 p.m. CT kickoff at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
Team Stats
EIU
NU
Goals
0
2
Shots
2
24
Shots on Goal
0
11
Saves
9
0
Corners
0
13
Fouls
11
10
Scoring Plays
Peter Riesz (2)
Assisted By: Joe Suchecki , Evrit Fisher
GOAL by NU Riesz, Peter Assist by Suchecki, Joe and Fisher, Evrit.
68:53
Peter Riesz (2)
Assisted By: Aaron O'Reilly , Jayvin Van Deventer
GOAL by NU Riesz, Peter Assist by O'Reilly, Aaron and Van Deventer, Jayvin.
80:24
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
5
SOG
4
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
6
SOG
4
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerMen's Soccer - ‘Cats Strike Late At Xavier, 1-0 (9/6/2025)
Sunday, September 07
Men's Soccer - Suchecki, O'Reilly Lift 'Cats Over Air Force, 2-1 (8/24/25)
Sunday, August 24
Men's Soccer - Riesz's Brace Pushes 'Cats Past Eastern Illinois in 2025 Opener, 2-0 (8/21/25)
Friday, August 22
Do they know ball? 🤔 🐐
Tuesday, August 05
