Northwestern
#3 Saint Joseph's
Northwestern Set to Battle St. Joseph’s for NCAA Field Hockey Championship
11/23/2024 7:26:00 PM | Field Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The stage is set for the national championship showdown, as the Northwestern Wildcats (22-1) are poised to take on the St. Joseph's Hawks (20-3) this Sunday at 12:30 p.m. CT (1:30 p.m. ET) at Phyllis Ocker Field in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Wildcats are chasing their second-ever national title, having won their first in 2021. This marks Northwestern's fourth consecutive appearance in the championship game, an impressive run under head coach Tracey Fuchs.
Northwestern earned their place in the final after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over UMass in Friday's semifinal, following dominant wins over Miami (OH) (9-2) and #8 Virginia (3-2 OT) in earlier rounds. The Wildcats have been an offensive juggernaut all season, setting a program record with 81 goals and outshooting opponents by a staggering 433-165 margin. On defense, they've been nearly impenetrable, allowing just 15 goals all season.
Leading the charge for Northwestern is Ashley Sessa, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, who is tied for the program's single-season points record (65) with 24 goals and 17 assists. Sessa, a pivotal force on offense, is seeking her second national title after winning with North Carolina in 2022. She leads the nation in points per game (2.83) and continues to be a key playmaker for the Wildcats.
The stage is set. pic.twitter.com/XJYy6Lpa7I
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 23, 2024
On the defensive end, Northwestern's formidable backline is anchored by senior goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz, who boasts a nation-leading .853 save percentage and holds a program-record 36 career shutouts. Skubisz, along with senior captain Maddie Zimmer, are no strangers to championship pressure, having played key roles in Northwestern's 2021 title run. Zimmer, the 2021 Tournament MVP and this season's Big Ten Player of the Year, has contributed 8 goals and 11 assists from her midfield position, including assisting Sessa's game-winner against UMass.
We never say die. pic.twitter.com/qkFHHyxn1u
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 23, 2024
St. Joseph's, meanwhile, arrives with a 20-3 record, having earned their spot in the final after a thrilling upset over top-seeded North Carolina (2-1) in the semifinals. The Hawks' only losses this season came in overtime against UConn, UMass, and Harvard. They last faced Northwestern in 2009, with the Wildcats taking a decisive 7-3 win in Evanston.
Fans can expect a closely contested battle between these two elite squads. Northwestern will look to replicate their championship success at Phyllis Ocker Field, where they secured their 2021 national title and the 2023 Big Ten regular-season crown.
The championship game will be broadcast live on ESPNU and streamed on ESPN+ and ESPN3 (Spanish). Following the match, the trophy presentation will also be available on ESPN+.
Game Information:
- Date: Sunday, 12:30 p.m. CT (1:30 p.m. ET)
- Location: Phyllis Ocker Field, Ann Arbor, MI
- Broadcast: ESPNU, ESPN+ (English), ESPN3 (Spanish)
- Announcers: Leah Secondo and Suzanne Bush
Streaming Links:
- ESPNU (Cable Subscription)
- ESPN+ (Streaming Subscription)
- ESPN3 (Spanish) (Free)
- ESPN+ Trophy Presentation
