:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3548163/robbdribble.0.jpg)
It was apparent almost from the outset that Northwestern was going big or going home. The Wildcats had a corner kick in the 6th minute that Marquette keeper Charlie Lyon had come off his line to play, but he couldn't control it. NU had a strong shot on goal, but someone or something stopped it from getting through.
That chance for Northwestern ended up being a bad omen for 25 minutes later, when a Marquette defender - I'm not sure which one - fell while trying to clear a Northwestern free kick and ended up sending it straight to NU's Joey Calistri at the top of the box, where it got rifled into the back of the net for the first, and as it turns out, the only goal of the match.
MU had some chances to equalize, including an Adam Lysak drive that skittered just wide right and a loose ball in the box after NU keeper Tyler Miller came to the top of the box but couldn't wrap it up. MU had one last chance in the dying seconds of their season as Marquette was awarded a free kick from midfield that Lyon launched deep into the box, but it couldn't find a friendly head or boot.
Even with what amounts to a sudden ending, it was a wonderful season to cheer for, and I thank every man on the squad for their efforts. A special THANK YOU goes to seniors Andy Huftalin, Ryan Robb, and Anthony Selvaggii for everything that they've done to help build this program to the heights that it's seen the last two years!