Northwestern Returns to Winning Ways With 1-0 Victory Over Butler

EVANSTON, Ill. — After Northwestern relinquished second-half leads in two consecutive draws, coach Michael Moynihan sought an improved push to the final whistle during his team's Sunday afternoon matchup with Butler at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.

Once again, Moynihan's squad jumped out in front in the latter 45 minutes. But this time, the hosts held on for a 1-0 win.

In a match where quality chances proved at a premium, Kate Hennen's 49th minute goal led the Wildcats (3-1-2) to a shutout victory over the Bulldogs. With the result, Northwestern ended Butler's (2-1-1) three-game unbeaten run to start the season.

"There's still some stuff we can clean up in terms of closing out the game," Moynihan said. "We didn't take any chances we didn't need to and kept them at bay — they didn't really get any looks. So, [I'm] proud of them for that."

The Wildcats tweaked their defensive tactics from previous matches ahead of kickoff and held the Bulldogs to just two shots on target. Moynihan said he was especially impressed with how his team adjusted to the visitors' tendency to build out of the back.

First-year goalkeeper Nyamma Nelson notched her third shutout of the season and first since the team's 1-0 win over Illinois State on Aug. 17.

Nelson gave all the credit for her clean sheets to her teammates. She said she's seen her confidence soar with heightened experience on the pitch.

"Obviously getting Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week felt great." Nelson said. "Those two ties are something I needed in a way just to get re-centered and realize, 'At the end of the day, soccer is soccer.'"

Throughout the first half, Northwestern ran into a significant hurdle in Butler's high line. As the Wildcats looked to make attacking inroads and break lines, they were caught offside on seven occasions in the opening 45 minutes.

At the half, Moynihan and the team discussed settling down and exploiting the high-risk run by an aggressive offside trap.

Less than four minutes after play resumed, halftime deliberations came to fruition. Eyeing Alex Fallon's darting run up the right flank, Keira Kemmerly lofted a long ball from behind the midfield line. Fallon won the footrace with her marker and found Hennen at the top of the box.

The sophomore curled her shot into the back of the net, scoring her first goal of the year and the eventual game-winner.

"Whether she starts or comes off the bench, she's got energy," Moynihan said of Hennen. "She's a little spark plug. The intensity and burst of speed that she has is always a real threat."

Hennen, whose goal marked her first tally since the 2024 season finale against Illinois, saw 35 minutes off the bench in the win.

The forward said playing at home provided an extra incentive for the group.

"We're back at home and that's just an environment that is unbeatable," Hennen said. "We're all looking to defend our field. Last time obviously wasn't the best result, but today we really wanted to come out there and bring the energy. With everybody watching at home and in the stands here, we were just doing what we could to secure the dub."

The Wildcats will close their nonconference slate on Thursday at No. 4 TCU. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT, with streaming on ESPN+.

Northwestern Returns to Winning Ways With 1-0 Victory Over Butler

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Team Stats

Kate Hennen

Alex Fallon

Keira Kemmerley

Liz Cardwell

Players Mentioned

Alex Fallon

Kate Hennen

Nyamma Nelson

Northwestern University Athletics