Northwestern kicked off the collegiate soccer season in style thanks to a highlight-reel goal from defender Emma Phillips to seal a 2-1 win against Kansas State.
The Wildcats fell behind 1-0 in the first half but responded in the second as Caterina Regazzoni tied the game in the 64th minute.
Five minutes later, Phillips put her name on the shortlist for goal of the year with a bicycle kick goal to put Northwestern in the lead.
Emma Phillips bicycle kick for the lead 🚲🚲🤯🤯#SCtop10 | @NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/YwvasXv7t1— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) August 19, 2022
Emma Phillips bicycle kick for the lead 🚲🚲🤯🤯#SCtop10 | @NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/YwvasXv7t1
Northwestern posted 11 shots in the second half, bringing their total in the game to 18, including 11 on target. The Wildcats’ barrage ultimately proved too much for Kansas State, who had just eight shots in the game, two of them on target.
Northwestern’s win came on the first day of the NCAA Division I soccer season. The opening day of action also saw top-ranked Florida State play to a 0-0 tie with No. 12 South Carolina. The Seminoles enter the season with a new coach after winning the title last season.