With the shootout tied at three apiece, it was up to Marisa Viggiano to keep Northwestern’s dream season alive. Her strike whistled past Nebraska’s goalkeeper, sending the Big Ten title-winning Wildcats to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament after a tense standoff with Nebraska in Evanston.
Northwestern and Nebraska played out a scoreless draw earlier in the season, and the tune did not change in their second meeting. Both teams struggled to find rhythm and good scoring opportunities as the defenses dominated most of the game.
Nebraska’s best scoring opportunity came in the 69th minute, but Lauren Clem made a diving stop to her left to stave off a crucial goal.