Northwestern
Miami (Ohio)
Northwestern Gears Up for NCAA Second Round Clash Against Miami (OH)
11/14/2024 4:52:00 PM | Field Hockey
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern (19-1) returns to Lakeside Field on Friday, Nov. 16, to face Miami (OH) (14-7) in the NCAA Tournament's second round. The high-stakes clash begins at noon CST and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
It all starts tomorrow ?
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 14, 2024
Be there ?? Lakeside Field @ Noon pic.twitter.com/5LjEHBwCp3
The Wildcats enter the game as one of the hottest teams in the country, boasting a nearly perfect season and a collection of Big Ten honors. Head Coach Tracey Fuchs has led Northwestern to sweep the conference awards, with Maddie Zimmer named Player of the Year, Ashley Sessa taking Offensive Player of the Year, Annabel Skubisz winning Goalkeeper of the Year, and Fuchs herself recognized as Coach of the Year. The roster also includes multiple All-Big Ten First, Second, and Freshman team honorees, underscoring Northwestern's depth and talent.
On the national stage, Ashley Sessa and Annabel Skubisz have emerged as game-changers for the Wildcats. Sessa ranks second in the country with 2.75 goals per game, while Skubisz leads the NCAA in save percentage (88.2%) and ranks second in goals-against average (0.51), making her one of the toughest goalkeepers to beat.
Northwestern's only blemish this season came in a narrow 1-0 loss to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament Championship—a rare shutout that the team is eager to avenge with a dominant postseason run. Historically, Northwestern has held a strong advantage over Miami (OH), leading the all-time series 19-1 and winning both recent encounters in the NCAA first round, including last year's 3-0 shutout.
Miami (OH) enters the second round fresh off a tight 2-1 victory over Vermont, secured by a late goal from Paula Navarro. The RedHawks will be looking to break Northwestern's streak, but the Wildcats are resolute in their pursuit of the national title that narrowly eluded them in last season's final.
A win on Friday would advance Northwestern to the NCAA quarterfinals, setting up either a rematch with Big Ten rival Michigan or a showdown with Virginia. Coach Fuchs and the Wildcats are locked in, eyeing the national championship as they take one step closer to redemption.
