Junior forward Adam Montague netted the game winner with just 46 seconds to play in the second overtime period.

“It’s meant to be for me to move to Chicago someday,” Montague said. “Six games in Chicago in my career and six goals. It’s a lucky coincidence, I guess.”

The Spartans were on the attack early, as shots from junior forward Tim Kreutz and Montague were stopped by the Northwestern defense.

MSU outshot the Wildcats 14-3 in the first half, led by Kreutz with four shots.

Wildcat goalkeeper Tyler Miller made seven saves to keep the game scoreless after 45 minutes.

The second half was a different story for both teams.

Midfielder Chris Ritter scored for the Wildcats less than five minutes after the break when his free kick from the left side of the box found the near post past sophomore goalkeeper Zach Bennett.

“There was a bit of wind at our back the first half,” head coach Damon Rensing said. “We had some good shots and some from distance that we just didn’t connect. In the second half, any time a goal is scored, the momentum and there becomes more urgency in the game. Our guys settled in and responded and just kept plugging away.”

The game went back and forth until the 75th minute, when MSU got on the board.

Senior defender Ryan Thelen’s free kick deflected off the wall and back to him. He controlled his own shot and nailed it from 25 yards out.

Less than three minute later, Montague passed it in front of the net for an easy finish by Kreutz to give the Spartans the lead.

Lepe Seetane pulled one back for the Wildcats in the 87th minute when his header from the right side got past Bennett.

Montague said the team felt dejected after regulation, but the comfort of knowing they’ve been there before gave them more confidence.

“You feel sick to your stomach, but we were there last year in the Big ten Championship,” Montague said. “We’ve been in this situation before and it worked out in our favor. Everyone tries to keep the guys going try to grind it out.”

The first overtime passed without many shots from either side, but Montague’s header in the 110th minute sealed the deal for MSU.

Another positive for the Spartans was the return of senior defender Kevin Cope, who missed the last five game with an injury. He was one of six Spartans to play the entire game, and contributed a pair of shots.

The Spartans have a week off before returning to action against Ohio State at 1 p.m. on Oct. 13 at DeMartin Stadium.

“The guys were hungry for this game and they refused to give up,” Rensing said, “We’ll just have to recover, but we’ve got to keep pushing. It’s a long season and we can’t let up.”