Nov. 26, 2006

Box Score

Click Here to listen to Coach Lenahan talk about the 'Cats' run in the NCAA Tournament with WNUR.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Northwestern's magical run in the NCAA Tournament ended Saturday night with a 3-2 loss to the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (16-7) at Harder Stadium in front of 8,784 fans. The 'Cats, who advanced further than any team in program history, finished 14-8 and one win shy of reaching the College Cup. Seniors Brad North (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands) and Gerardo Alvarez (Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy) finished their careers in style with each netting a goal in the quarterfinal match.

The Wildcats registered the first scoring chance nearly three minutes into the contest. North muscled past a defender and dished off to Carl Pett (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) who slid a pass to Alvarez. The senior fired a shot into the waiting arms of the Gaucho keeper who was in perfect position. USCB registered their first shot on Justin Pines (Media, Pa./Strath Haven) two minutes later.

The home team scored first in the 9th minute when Bryan Byrne fed a cross to Tyler Rosenlund through the Wildcat six-yard box. The junior popped the ball into an open net to give USCB the 1-0 lead. It was the first of three goals on the night for Rosenlund.

This year's Wildcat squad, which has risen to the occasion throughout the postseason, did not stay off the scoreboard for long. Pett took advantage when a Gaucho defender couldn't control a bouncing ball and streaked toward the defenseless goalkeeper. The senior North followed the play and was in the perfect spot across the box to receive a pass from the freshman. North burried it to tie the score at 1-1 at the 12:59 mark. Pett notched his ninth assist of the season on the play.

North almost scored his second goal in the 19th minute when Pett again took advantage of a Gaucho defender and sprung loose toward the net. A defenseman came to his keeper's aid this time and forced North's sliding attempt to sail into the side of the net.

Northwestern stunned the UCSB crowd when senior Alvarez belted a direct free kick into the upper left corner of the net to give the 'Cats a 2-1 lead in the 38th minute. The play was set up when senior Daniel Chille (Lake Zurich, Ill./Stevenson), who came on for North, was tripped just outside the box when on the attack. Alvarez, who has played some of his best soccer this postseason for the Wildcats, buried the free kick at 37:55.

Alvarez finished the 2006 NCAA Tournament with four goals after recording none during the regular season. The seniors, North and Alvarez, with 28 goals on their careers, end their time as Wildcats tied for second on the all-time list. With 80 points Alvarez ends his career tied for the all-time lead.

UCSB had a scoring chance in the final minute, but the attempt sailed wide and the 'Cats took a 2-1 lead into the break.

The Gauchos tied the score at 2-2 less than three minutes into the second half when Rosenlund registered his second goal of the night and second goal from inside of six yards at 47:07. The Gauchos again kept pressure on the 'Cats after their goal, registering another point blank opportunity in the next minute.

North had a chance when the 'Cats went on a counterattack off continued Gaucho pressure. He had a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper, but in trying to calm the ball on his foot, he lost his advantage as the goalie charged towards the senior. North's shot sailed into the net minder's midsection.

The Gauchos pulled ahead 3-2 on the third goal of the night by Rosenlund at 62:22. The junior found space off a blocked shot and put away what turned out to be the game-winner.

"We didn't sit back when we got the lead," head coach Tim Lenahan said. "We created some chances, but needed to do a better job of keeping them off the board. I"m proud of the guys. I thought we gave great effort and served ourselves well."

"I'm proud of where our program has come from for the past four years with these guys," Lenahan said of seniors North and Alvarez. "They are two of the best players to wear that Northwestern jersey and both showed why we've come so far so quickly. They've showed with not only their talent, but going to battle every game."

NU's senior class is the winningest in program history and the Wildcats advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2006 NCAA Tournament after making their first appearance in 2004.

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