WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA — #7 Northwestern survived a relentless second-half assault from #10 Southern California to claim a 1-0 victory in the 2025 Women's Soccer Big Ten Championship on Thursday. Megan Norkett's 85th-minute goal proved the difference in a match that saw the Trojans dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities but ultimately couldn't find the back of the net. The win improved Northwestern to 9-3-7, while USC dropped to 7-7-3 in what became a tournament showcase of defensive resilience.
Norkett's decisive strike came late in the match when the Wildcats finally broke through against a USC defense that had weathered wave after wave of Trojan attacks. The goal arrived at a critical moment, with Southern California having generated eight shots on goal compared to Northwestern's five. Despite the statistical advantage favoring the visitors, Northwestern's goalkeeper made eight saves to keep the match scoreless until Norkett's breakthrough.
The first half unfolded as a cagey affair with both teams feeling each other out. Northwestern created the early chances, with Liz Cardwell firing a blocked shot in the 6th minute and Caterina Regazzoni missing just wide moments later. Southern California's Molly McDougal picked up a yellow card for unsporting conduct in the 24th minute as tensions mounted. The Trojans gradually gained confidence as the half progressed, though neither side could convert their opportunities into goals by intermission.
USC emerged from halftime with renewed purpose, immediately testing Northwestern's defense with multiple attacking sequences. The Trojans generated corner kicks and sustained pressure throughout the second half, with Edra Bello and Maribel Flores combining to create chances that kept Northwestern goalkeeper busy. Bello came closest to breaking through when her shot hit the woodwork in the 54th minute, a moment that could have shifted the match's trajectory entirely.
Northwestern weathered the storm through disciplined defending and timely interventions. Brooke Miller's blocked shot in the 51st minute exemplified the Wildcats' commitment to denying USC clear-cut opportunities. As the match wore on, Northwestern began to settle into a rhythm, absorbing pressure while looking for counterattacking chances. The defensive organization proved crucial in a tournament setting where one mistake could prove fatal.
The statistics told the story of a closely contested battle. Southern California attempted 17 shots compared to Northwestern's 12, with the Trojans earning five corner kicks to the Wildcats' one. Yet Northwestern's goalkeeper's eight saves versus USC's four highlighted the difference in efficiency. Molly McDougal's yellow card remained the only disciplinary action of the match.
Norkett's breakthrough in the 85th minute came when Northwestern needed it most, providing the Wildcats with a championship-clinching goal that sent their sideline into celebration. The timing proved crucial, arriving when USC had pushed forward aggressively in search of an equalizer. Northwestern's defense held firm in the final minutes despite desperate Trojan efforts to find a late leveler.
The loss marked a frustrating conclusion to USC's tournament run, as the Trojans created enough chances to win multiple matches but couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. Southern California's recent form—winless in their last three matches—continued with this defeat, leaving the program searching for answers heading into the final stretch of the season.
Northwestern advances to face #2 Michigan State on Sunday in the Big Ten Championship semifinals, riding momentum from this hard-fought victory. The Wildcats' defensive solidity and ability to win tight matches could prove valuable in tournament play, while USC returns home to regroup and refocus on NCAA Tournament positioning.