Men’s Soccer: Northwestern drops back-to-back Big Ten battles

Northwestern dropped two Big Ten games in its toughest week of the season so far, falling 4-1 to No. 23 Maryland on the road before returning to Evanston for a narrow 1–0 loss to Washington. This was a stretch that showed both the Wildcats’ fight and their lingering struggles in the final third.

Northwestern 1, Maryland 4 (Sept. 26)

The trip to College Park opened with optimism, as reserve goalkeeper Josue Hangi made his first career start in purple. NU nearly stunned the Terrapins in the opening seconds: a long goal kick from Hangi set off a series of headers down the right flank, eventually springing freshman Aaron O’Reilly to the end line. His cross skipped toward Joe Suchecki, who almost turned it into the opener inside the first minute.

That early energy carried into the next 20 minutes. At the 10th minute, Bryant Mayer nearly struck from distance, rattling a shot off the left post after a Maryland clearance. The Wildcats piled on pressure through set pieces, and Jason Gajadhar unleashed a 23-yard attempt following a corner, only for it to be deflected away.

But momentum evaporated in a span of 84 seconds. A foul in the penalty area by Nigel Prince gifted Maryland a spot kick in the 30th minute, which Leon Koehl calmly converted. Moments later, Albi Ndrenika doubled the Terrapins’ advantage, punishing NU’s unsettled backline to make it 2–0.

Northwestern clawed back before halftime. Jayvin Van Deventer sliced through the midfield and found Italo Addimandi wide left, whose service picked out Peter Riesz for a composed finish into the far corner, cutting the deficit to 2–1. But hopes of a comeback were short-lived.

In the second half, Doug Hainer tested goalkeeper Laurin Mack with a dangerous strike from the edge of the box, but Maryland soon restored control. Goals from Sadam Masereka in the 64th minute and another Terrapin strike in the 77th sealed NU’s 4-1 defeat.

Northwestern 0, Washington 1 (Sept. 29)

Back in Evanston, the Wildcats looked to reset against Washington. Head coach Russell Payne deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation to stabilize possession and spark creativity. Early set pieces offered promise, with Prince rising to win a header from a third-minute corner. Fritz Volmar anchored the defense, blocking a powerful effort by Huskies striker Richie Aman at the eighth minute after Gajadhar lost the ball under pressure.

In the attack, O’Reilly again looked dangerous. He connected with Andrew Johnson’s cross and later combined with Hainer in the 19th minute, when a clever give-and-go produced a close-range strike that was denied by Huskies goalkeeper Levi Bieber. Suchecki nearly cleaned up the rebound, but Washington’s defense held strong.

“We have more offense than (Washington). We did not get outplayed, and we didn’t win the game,” Payne said in the postgame.

The Huskies then struck on their first real chance. A 22nd-minute corner caused chaos inside the box, and defender Harrison Bertos poked home for a 1–0 lead.

NU’s response came through more set pieces. At 27’, Mayer’s header from a corner forced Bieber into action, but the equalizer never arrived. 

The second half followed a familiar script: Northwestern dominated possession yet struggled to break through, while Washington’s counterattacks carved out danger. Within five minutes of the restart, the Huskies fired three intimidating shots on goal in transition.

“Washington’s special quality is counters,” Payne said. “I wasn’t concerned about that. But I’m more like ‘hey, we’re going to turn them over. Can we connect the ball in our transitions? Can we generate opportunities?’.”

Hainer nearly broke through at the 58th minute after a smart through ball from O’Reilly, but a defender’s deflection eliminated the chance. Another NU corner in the 62nd minute instead launched a Washington counter, with Aman racing free before Rafael Ponce de Leon sprinted off his line to clear.

The Wildcats’ best chance came in the 73rd minute when Alejandro Martinez Samataria and Suchecki combined for a one-two that shredded Washington’s back line. Martinez Samataria’s shot, however, skimmed just over the bar.

Late in the match, NU kept pressing with aerial service into the box, but Washington’s backline comfortably dealt with high balls. At 86’, Riesz rose for a header, only to see it land safely in Bieber’s gloves.

The final whistle confirmed a 1–0 defeat, leaving the Wildcats frustrated after another match of missed opportunities.

“That’s another game where we let it get away from us,” Payne said.

Northwestern will look to regroup from this challenging two-game defeat, facing non-conference opponent Evanstonville at home on Oct. 7 after a one-week break.