Monday, September 1
Evanston, Ill.
6:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern
2-1-1, 0-0-0
2
vs
3
UIC
3-0-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
UIC
1
2
3
Northwestern
0
2
2
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern’s Unbeaten Start Snapped By UIC, 3-2
9/1/2025 10:06:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Suchecki, Prince tally goals for the 'Cats
By: Jake Epstein, NUSports.com
EVANSTON, Ill. (September 1, 2025) — Northwestern suffered its first loss of the 2025 season, falling to UIC, 3-2, on Monday evening at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The result marked the program's first home setback since September 27, 2024.
"Full credit to UIC, they were a big challenge tonight," head coach Russell Payne said. "We were a little bit careless in terms of what we do with the ball and our decision making, and it teaches us that we can't start games that way. We know exactly what we did wrong — it's from preparation to some of the execution and ideas on the field."
The Wildcats (2-1-1) erased a 2-0 second-half deficit with goals from Joe Suchecki and Nigel Prince in the 62nd and 65th minutes, respectively, but Darrell Turcios' 84th-minute strike proved decisive.
Gallery: (9-1-2025) Men's Soccer vs. UIC
"These are games where every play matters," Payne said. "You have to play every play. It's not necessarily who you play. It's how you play. This team is learning that how we play has to be at a high standard every game. You can't change your approach because the opponent is different. We have to play Northwestern soccer."
The hosts conceded their first goal allowed in an opening 45 minutes this season when UIC midfielder Edouard Nys nabbed the match's initial tally in the 24th minute. UIC nearly doubled its advantage just four minutes later, but Carlos Nevares' shot struck the bar and bounced back into play.
The Flames launched an early offensive firestorm, outshooting the Wildcats, 10-3, in the first half. A headed effort from Prince was Northwestern's lone shot on target in the period.
"We can't let them have a foothold on the game like that, especially in the first half and at home," Prince said.
When Turcios grabbed his first goal of the match in the 53rd minute, the game appeared all but decided.
Prince, who logged a full 90 minutes for the fourth consecutive game Monday night, said he noticed a flip switch on the field after a series of hard tackles on 50-50 balls.
Soon after, Suchecki pushed signs of life into Northwestern's comeback, slotting home a feed from Alejandro Martinez Santamaria just past the hour mark. Martinez Santamaria's helper extended his team-high assist tally to four.
Less than three minutes later, Prince broke free at the back post and headed home his first goal of the season. Whipping in a cross from the right flank, first-year forward Aaron O'Reilly notched his second assist of the season.
"That 15 minutes was just us playing our game," Prince said. "It's what we drill on the training ground every day. It's our identity. For our standards, we didn't play our game that we're used to playing. The guys will look at the film, study that and see those moments when we play and we're aggressive and take it to them, I don't think anybody can really mess with us."
But for the third consecutive match, Northwestern conceded a goal beyond the 80th minute. This time, it marked the difference between rescuing a draw and suffering a home defeat.
"Soccer's about turf, soccer's about space," Prince said. "We gave up too much space. We gave up too much turf. If you sit in for that long, they'll eventually get one."
The Wildcats will be back in action in their first road match of the season on Saturday, September 6 against Xavier. Kickoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. CT from Corcoran Field in Cincinnati, Ohio.
EVANSTON, Ill. (September 1, 2025) — Northwestern suffered its first loss of the 2025 season, falling to UIC, 3-2, on Monday evening at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The result marked the program's first home setback since September 27, 2024.
"Full credit to UIC, they were a big challenge tonight," head coach Russell Payne said. "We were a little bit careless in terms of what we do with the ball and our decision making, and it teaches us that we can't start games that way. We know exactly what we did wrong — it's from preparation to some of the execution and ideas on the field."
The Wildcats (2-1-1) erased a 2-0 second-half deficit with goals from Joe Suchecki and Nigel Prince in the 62nd and 65th minutes, respectively, but Darrell Turcios' 84th-minute strike proved decisive.
"These are games where every play matters," Payne said. "You have to play every play. It's not necessarily who you play. It's how you play. This team is learning that how we play has to be at a high standard every game. You can't change your approach because the opponent is different. We have to play Northwestern soccer."
The hosts conceded their first goal allowed in an opening 45 minutes this season when UIC midfielder Edouard Nys nabbed the match's initial tally in the 24th minute. UIC nearly doubled its advantage just four minutes later, but Carlos Nevares' shot struck the bar and bounced back into play.
The Flames launched an early offensive firestorm, outshooting the Wildcats, 10-3, in the first half. A headed effort from Prince was Northwestern's lone shot on target in the period.
"We can't let them have a foothold on the game like that, especially in the first half and at home," Prince said.
When Turcios grabbed his first goal of the match in the 53rd minute, the game appeared all but decided.
Prince, who logged a full 90 minutes for the fourth consecutive game Monday night, said he noticed a flip switch on the field after a series of hard tackles on 50-50 balls.
Soon after, Suchecki pushed signs of life into Northwestern's comeback, slotting home a feed from Alejandro Martinez Santamaria just past the hour mark. Martinez Santamaria's helper extended his team-high assist tally to four.
62' | Suchecki and Martinez Santamaria link-up for the third straight game to get the 'Cats within one!
— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) September 2, 2025
UIC 2, 'Cats 1 https://t.co/6hpzx0itJq pic.twitter.com/2exqxqIcVd
Less than three minutes later, Prince broke free at the back post and headed home his first goal of the season. Whipping in a cross from the right flank, first-year forward Aaron O'Reilly notched his second assist of the season.
"That 15 minutes was just us playing our game," Prince said. "It's what we drill on the training ground every day. It's our identity. For our standards, we didn't play our game that we're used to playing. The guys will look at the film, study that and see those moments when we play and we're aggressive and take it to them, I don't think anybody can really mess with us."
65' | Prince heads home the feed from O'Reilly to knot this one up!
— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) September 2, 2025
'Cats 2, UIC 2 https://t.co/xguEoNr7EI pic.twitter.com/vLrHxGBfux
But for the third consecutive match, Northwestern conceded a goal beyond the 80th minute. This time, it marked the difference between rescuing a draw and suffering a home defeat.
"Soccer's about turf, soccer's about space," Prince said. "We gave up too much space. We gave up too much turf. If you sit in for that long, they'll eventually get one."
The Wildcats will be back in action in their first road match of the season on Saturday, September 6 against Xavier. Kickoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. CT from Corcoran Field in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Team Stats
UIC
NU
Goals
3
2
Shots
15
9
Shots on Goal
7
3
Saves
1
4
Corners
5
3
Fouls
11
10
Scoring Plays
Edouard Nys (3)
Assisted By: Carlos Nevarez , Sota Nakazono
GOAL by UIC Nys, Edouard Assist by Nevarez, Carlos and Nakazono, Sota.
23:12
Darrell Turcios (3)
Assisted By: Rui Reis
GOAL by UIC Turcios, Darrell Assist by Reis, Rui.
52:30
Joe Suchecki (3)
Assisted By: Alejandro Martinez Santamaria
GOAL by NU Suchecki, Joe Assist by Martinez Santamaria, Alejandro.
61:41
Nigel Prince (1)
Assisted By: Aaron O'Reilly
GOAL by NU Prince, Nigel Assist by O'Reilly, Aaron.
64:21
Darrell Turcios (3)
Assisted By: Carlos Nevarez
GOAL by UIC Turcios, Darrell Assist by Nevarez, Carlos.
83:10
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerD
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's SoccerMen's Soccer - ‘Cats Strike Late At Xavier, 1-0 (9/6/2025)
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