WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (www.purduesports.com) – An impressive rush up the field by Purdue women’s soccer’s trio of forwards led to Maddy Williams’ team-best ninth goal of the season and the lone score of the game held up for a 1-0 win against Northwestern Sunday afternoon at the Boilermaker Soccer Complex.

The Boilermakers (8-4-1, 3-2-0 Big Ten) posted their third straight shutout victory, extending their shutout streak to 283 consecutive minutes dating back to the end of the Sept. 26 loss at No. 8 Penn State. Purdue has now 10 straight games against Northwestern dating back to 2005, extending its longest win streak against any opponent in program history.

Williams scored in the 56th minute off a double assist from fellow forwards Hadley Stuart and Alex Hairston. Hairston reversed the field with a long lead pass in the air from the right flank, setting Stuart free on a long run down the left flank. Stuart drew the defense towards her on the left side of the 18-yard box while Williams moved into the back side of the play. After the final pass was connected across the 18-yard box, Williams scored easily into the right side of the net to complete the exciting sequence.

Williams scored both game-winners this weekend as the Boilers swept the Big Ten’s teams from the Land of Lincoln. She moved within one goal of the Purdue freshman record held by Jessica Okoroafo (2005). She has recorded a point (goal or assist) in each of the last eight games she has played.

Stuart recorded her Big Ten-leading ninth goal of the season. Hairston is not far behind with eight helpers.

Purdue goalkeeper Clara Kridler only had to make two saves en route to earning her ninth career solo shutout. But Northwestern (2-8-2, 0-5-0 Big Ten) amped up the pressure in the game’s final 20 minutes. The Wildcats’ Addie Steiner hit the crossbar from the heart of the 18-yard box in the 71st minute. Purdue had to defend three corner kick chances for NU in the final nine minutes, one leading to another dangerous scramble in the game’s final minute.

Purdue lost senior outside back/forward Jordan Pawlik to an ankle injury in the 78th minute. Center backs Mikayla Lasky and Kim Love went the distance and helped limit the Wildcats to only two shots on goal. Megan Kaser and Jordan Frick joined Pawlik as the Boilers’ logging the majority of the minutes at the outside back positions Sunday.

Northwestern goalkeeper Jenna Hascher finished with four saves, highlighted by a pair of diving stops. She left her feet in the 33rd and 48th minutes to deflect wide shots by Williams and Stuart, respectively. The Wildcats successfully defended both ensuing corner kicks.

Purdue has posted its first three-game win streak in Big Ten play since October 2007. The 2007 team was also the last to record three straight shutout victories. The Boilermakers had not won three consecutive 1-0 games since September 2006.

With eight wins and three in conference play, Purdue has already exceeded its win totals of 2012. The 2009 team was last to win eight-plus games. By scoring in their 13th consecutive game, the Boilers have now matched the 2002 team for the third longest single-season scoring streak in program history. It’s also the second-longest run to begin a season.

With Minnesota blanking Penn State Sunday in the Twin Cities, Iowa and Purdue are now the only teams around the Big Ten that have not been shut out in 2013.

Melissa Casella and Stuart joined Lasky and Love as the Boilers’ field players to go the distance Sunday. Frick logged 45 minutes to lead the reserves.

Purdue returns to action Friday when it hosts No. 23 Nebraska at 7 p.m. The Huskers’ seven-game win streak was snapped Sunday by No. 21 Michigan.

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