Northwestern women defeat Illinois

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Caroline Dagley (San Rafael, Calif./The Branson School) scored the first goal of her career as Northwestern women’s soccer closed its season with a 1-0 victory over Illinois Friday at Lakeside Field.

Dagley’s goal, in the 47th minute of the match, came on the Wildcats’ first shot of the game. Jessica Palo (Ames, Iowa/Ames) played a ball into the box from the left side that was passed on by Jill Dunn (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) to Dagley, who made a long run down the right side of the field and struck for the score.

Carolyn Edwards (Lincolnshire, Ill./Stevenson) made a career-high 11 saves in the match to make the lead hold up for Northwestern (7-10-2), which beat its in-state rival for the second consecutive time.  Edwards made six saves in the first half, as Illinois opened the match with a strong wind at its back. The ’Cats offense did not take a shot in the first half.

Northwestern nearly extended its lead with seven minutes remaining when Jennifer Baumann (Waukesha, Wis./Catholic Memorial) drilled a shot on target, but Illinois’ Alexandrea Kapicka managed to punch it over the net for a save.