Northwestern Hosts Syracuse to Open 2026 Home Slate

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern women’s soccer opens its 2026 home schedule on Thursday, Aug. 20, when it welcomes Syracuse to the lakefront at 7 p.m. CT on B1G+.

The Wildcats (0-1) dropped their season opener 3-1 at No. 11 Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 20, snapping a four-game winning streak in series openers. Senior midfielder Holland Carey tallied her first career goal, heading home a free kick from sophomore defender Gabby Anderson, who earned her first career assist. Senior goalkeeper CJ Roy made her first career start and collected five saves. First-year Naomi Lofthouse started in her first game as a Wildcat, and classmates Amber Weaver, Elle Phillips and Gwen Zimmerman all made their debuts as substitutes.

Northwestern is unbeaten in its last six home openers (4-0-2), dating back to spring 2021. NU closed out last season on a four-game unbeaten stretch at home (3-0-1). Since 2022, the Wildcats’ 21 regular-season non-conference wins rank second-most among Big Ten teams, trailing only UCLA (23).

The ‘Cats return 76.6% of their games started, 75.2% of their minutes played, 76.9% of their goals scored, 82.8% of their assists and 79.0% of their points from its 2025 team that secured the eighth NCAA Tournament berth in program history. 

Junior forward Kennedy Roesch was named to the 2026 United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch List ahead of the season. Roesch led all 'Cats and ranked third in the Big Ten with 10 goals and 23 points in 2025. Her 16 goals are the most by a Wildcat over a two-year span since Addie Steiner in 2014-15 (17) and most by an NU underclassman since Kelsey Hans in 2004-05 (21).

Syracuse claimed the only prior meeting between the two sides in 2024, 1-0. The 'Cats outshot the Orange 17-4, but an 18th-minute goal by Ava Uribe stood up as the game winner. 

The Orange (1-0-1) are making their first road trip of the season after drawing Villanova and defeating Holy Cross at home. Redshirt senior midfielder Vickie Jones leads Syracuse, bagging a brace in the 3-1 win over Holy Cross. Junior goalkeeper Maya Naimoli played every minute in SU’s first two games, posting an .857 save percentage and allowing 0.50 goals per game. 

The ‘Cats continue their first homestand of the season, hosting Denver at 6:30 p.m. CT on Sunday at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium and on B1G+. 

Multiple chances to catch the 'Cats at home this week! 🌊 pic.twitter.com/4pXr7NSiid

— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) August 16, 2026