EVANSTON, Ill. (October 5, 2024) – Northwestern (5-5, 0-4 B1G) steps out of Big Ten Conference play for the final time on Sunday afternoon when it welcomes Trine to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium for a 3 p.m. kickoff.
Currently sitting with a perfect 3-0 record at home against non-league foes, the ‘Cats are seeking to complete their first unblemished non-conference home campaign since 2017.
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats came up on the short end of a 1-0 decision at Michigan State this past Tuesday at DeMartin Stadium in East Lansing, Mich. Following a scoreless first half that saw scoring chances come at a premium, Jack Guggemos found the back of the net in the 63rd minute to put the Spartans in front. Rafael Ponce de León racked up four saves in goal, finishing just one stop off his season high in the category.
SCOUTING TRINE
Trine, an NCAA Division III member which plays in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), comes into Sunday’s matinee at 2-6 overall in 2024. Interim head coach Mike Avery’s team finds itself mired in a four-match losing skid, a run of form that continued with a 7-1 setback at the hands of Notre Dame last Tuesday in South Bend, Ind. Braden Estep accounted for the lone Trine tally in the 20th minute of play.
Djimo Kouyate has a team-high two goals to his name across eight appearances this season, both of which came in a 2-1 win over Otterbein on September 1. Estep, Jarick Aguilar, Anes Dervisevic, and Gavin Hardy have also scored this season, with Dervisevic’s 90th-minute strike serving as the game-winning tally in a 1-0 win over Case Western Reserve on September 13. Mohamed Aljably has been the Thunder’s top facilitator to his point, accounting a team-best two assists.
The pairing of Aidan McGonagle and Dillon Lambert have split time in goal this season for Avery’s side. McGonagle has started in two of Trine’s last three games and holds a 2.11 goals against average that is bolstered by the Thunder’s lone clean sheet of the year, the aforementioned 1-0 win against Case Western Reserve.
SERIES STUFF
Northwestern and Trine will meet for the first time on Sunday afternoon.
Trine will be facing a Big Ten Conference opponent for just the fourth time in its history. The three previous meetings have all come against Indiana, with the Hoosiers most recently picking up a 2-0 win over the Thunder back on October 27, 2023.
UP NEXT
The ‘Cats jump back into Big Ten Conference play on Friday, October 11 when they jet east to Piscataway, N.J. for a 6 p.m. (CT) matchup against Rutgers.
