Gonzaga University
Northwestern
Men's Soccer Blanked 2-0 By Host Northwestern
9/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 17, 2010
EVANSTON, Ill. - Gonzaga University's offense couldn't get untracked Friday and host Northwestern University scored in each half for a 2-0 victory in the nightcap of the Lakeside Classic men's soccer tournament.
In the tournament's first match, Northern Illinois University edged Holy Cross College 2-1.
The Wildcats (3-2-0) got the only goal they would need at 34:48 when Oliver Kupe beat Bulldog keeper Ryan Caballero on a free kick to the far post. Northwestern, ranked ninth in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America-HendrickCar.com preseason poll prior to suffering a pair of opening-weekend losses, got an insurance goal at 50:47 when Jack Hillgard headed Piero Bellizzi's corner kick for the 2-0 lead.
Gonzaga was outshot 15-8 and the Wildcats had the better scoring chances, holding an 8-3 edge in shots-on-goal. Caballero had six saves while NU keeper Drew Kotler had three in picking up the shutout.
Northwestern's Kyle Schickel hit the crossbar in the 30th minute, and Kupe hit a post in the final 10 seconds of the opening half as Caballero ranged out of the goal and forced Kupe to alter his shot.
Collin Harrison had one of the better scoring chances for the Bulldogs, his free kick from 20 yards in the 61st minute just missing high.
The Bulldogs return to action at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time Sunday against NIU (2-2-1). Northwestern will face Holy Cross in the tourney finale.
