Tromp's Last-Minute Goal Secures No. 1 Northwestern's 1-0 Victory Over Cornell
9/15/2024 10:01:00 PM | Field Hockey
LOUISVILLE, KY. — In a thrilling late-game finish, top-ranked Northwestern secured a 1-0 victory over Cornell on Saturday thanks to a clutch goal by sophomore Ilse Tromp. For the second time in a week, the Wildcats were locked in a scoreless battle deep into the fourth quarter. Tromp broke the tie with just 36 seconds remaining, scoring off a penalty corner to keep Northwestern's perfect record intact at 6-0.
CARDIAC 'CATS ?? #EarnIt pic.twitter.com/xL41Ur82B4
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) September 14, 2024
Tromp's game-winning goal, her second of the season, mirrored last Sunday's match when sophomore Ashley Sessa netted a late goal to defeat Boston College 1-0.
Sessa and senior Lauren Hunter assisted on Tromp's tally, capping a successful weekend in Kentucky for Northwestern, who also shut out Louisville 2-0 on Friday. The Wildcats' defensive prowess continued as graduate goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz recorded another clean sheet, stopping all four shots she faced. Skubisz, recently named NFHCA Defensive Player of the Week, now boasts five shutouts this season.
Northwestern dominated the stats, outshooting Cornell 20-6 and earning 13 penalty corners to Cornell's four. After a balanced first three quarters, the Wildcats turned up the pressure in the final frame, generating eight shots and six penalty corners in the last 15 minutes.
With five shutouts in their six wins, the Wildcats have outscored opponents 15-1 this season. They now return to Evanston, ready to kick off Big Ten play with home matchups against Iowa on Friday at 3 p.m. CT and Indiana next Sunday at 10 a.m. CT at Lakeside Field.
Team Stats

Ilse Tromp (4)
Assisted By: Ashley Sessa , Lauren Hunter
penalty corner goal
59:24