Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Gracie Farrall
Photo by: Gracie Farrall
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Gracie Farrall
Photo by: Gracie Farrall
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Wins Big Ten Tournament Championship, Defeats Iowa 3-0
11/9/2025 3:46:00 PM | Field Hockey
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Behind a three-goal second half, the No. 2 Northwestern field hockey team knocked off No. 9 Iowa 3-0 to win the 2025 Big Ten Tournament Championship on a frigid Sunday afternoon at Deborah Tobias Field.
The title game shutout earned the Wildcats' third-ever conference tournament championship, and second in three years (2014, 2023, 2025). Adding to the team's already earned regular season title, the 2025 squad becomes the second in program history to collect both Big Ten championships (2023).
With goals from graduate student forward Grace Schulze, junior back Ilse Tromp and junior forward Ashley Sessa in the last thirty minutes, the Wildcats (18-1, 8-0 Big Ten) secured the victory. Claiming the title and an automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament, the 'Cats won with their 12th clean sheet of the season.
The Wildcats have won their past five meetings with Iowa (14-5, 5-3, Big Ten), including a pair of victories in 2025. They outshot the Hawkeyes 16-3 and earned a 4-0 corner advantage.
Sessa led all scorers with four points, from one goal and two assists, and graduate student midfielder Maddie Zimmer posted a co-game-high two assists. Redshirt first-year goalkeeper Juliana Boon tallied three saves to record her 10th complete-game shutout this season. Boon is tied for the fifth most single-season shutouts in program history.
Northwestern set an early offensive tone, building a 4-0 shot advantage in the opening quarter but couldn't break the deadlock in the first 15 minutes.
The Wildcats earned the game's first two penalty corners in the 18th minute, but the Iowa defense held firm on the two looks.
With less than five minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Hawkeyes fired their first shot of the game, which Boon dutifully turned away from danger.
In a scoreless opening half, Northwestern commanded the bulk of possession and outshot Iowa 10-1. Sessa paced the Wildcat attack with five first-half shots.
After the break, Schulze needed just 23 seconds to tally the opener. Sessa eluded several Iowa defenders and played a centering pass to the graduate student, who buried her third goal of the Big Ten Tournament to give NU a 1-0 lead.
Schulze's goal marked one of two Wildcat shots in the third quarter, with junior forward Olivia Bent-Cole's last-minute effort forcing a save out of Hawkeye goalie Mia Magnotta. As Northwestern regrouped ahead of the fourth quarter, the team stood just 15 minutes away from the third conference tournament title in program history.
In the 48th minute, Tromp fired her signature drag flick into the back of the cage to extend the lead to 2-0. Sessa and Zimmer recorded assists on the play.
Less than three minutes later, Zimmer made a menacing run into the circle and found Sessa, who converted an insurance goal that extended the advantage to three. The final goal marked the 20th of the season for Sessa, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
The junior forward was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team, joined by Schulze, who also earned Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
NU is now 3-3 in conference tournament title games, as head coach Tracey Fuchs improved her record to 14-13 on the stage. Earning her third Big Ten Tournament Championship, Fuchs and the 'Cats became just the 12th of 33 all-time No. 1 seeds to claim the title.
Next, the Wildcats await their NCAA Tournament matchup, with Sunday night's selection show announcing the 18-team field at 9 p.m. CT. Should Northwestern earn a top-four seed, coach Fuchs' squad will secure hosting rights at Lakeside Field for the tournament's opening two rounds.
The title game shutout earned the Wildcats' third-ever conference tournament championship, and second in three years (2014, 2023, 2025). Adding to the team's already earned regular season title, the 2025 squad becomes the second in program history to collect both Big Ten championships (2023).
???????? ?????? ?????? ???????????????????? ?????????????????? ??
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 9, 2025
The 'Cats claim the title ?? pic.twitter.com/RuhyJmRMkv
With goals from graduate student forward Grace Schulze, junior back Ilse Tromp and junior forward Ashley Sessa in the last thirty minutes, the Wildcats (18-1, 8-0 Big Ten) secured the victory. Claiming the title and an automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament, the 'Cats won with their 12th clean sheet of the season.
The Wildcats have won their past five meetings with Iowa (14-5, 5-3, Big Ten), including a pair of victories in 2025. They outshot the Hawkeyes 16-3 and earned a 4-0 corner advantage.
Sessa led all scorers with four points, from one goal and two assists, and graduate student midfielder Maddie Zimmer posted a co-game-high two assists. Redshirt first-year goalkeeper Juliana Boon tallied three saves to record her 10th complete-game shutout this season. Boon is tied for the fifth most single-season shutouts in program history.
Northwestern set an early offensive tone, building a 4-0 shot advantage in the opening quarter but couldn't break the deadlock in the first 15 minutes.
The Wildcats earned the game's first two penalty corners in the 18th minute, but the Iowa defense held firm on the two looks.
With less than five minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Hawkeyes fired their first shot of the game, which Boon dutifully turned away from danger.
In a scoreless opening half, Northwestern commanded the bulk of possession and outshot Iowa 10-1. Sessa paced the Wildcat attack with five first-half shots.
After the break, Schulze needed just 23 seconds to tally the opener. Sessa eluded several Iowa defenders and played a centering pass to the graduate student, who buried her third goal of the Big Ten Tournament to give NU a 1-0 lead.
SCHULZE SCORES ??
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 9, 2025
No. 13 gets NU on the board with her 3??rd goal of the tourney. Just 23 seconds into the half ?
NU 1 | Iowa 0
?? @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/jKf8ofuUGK
Schulze's goal marked one of two Wildcat shots in the third quarter, with junior forward Olivia Bent-Cole's last-minute effort forcing a save out of Hawkeye goalie Mia Magnotta. As Northwestern regrouped ahead of the fourth quarter, the team stood just 15 minutes away from the third conference tournament title in program history.
In the 48th minute, Tromp fired her signature drag flick into the back of the cage to extend the lead to 2-0. Sessa and Zimmer recorded assists on the play.
Less than three minutes later, Zimmer made a menacing run into the circle and found Sessa, who converted an insurance goal that extended the advantage to three. The final goal marked the 20th of the season for Sessa, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
Sessa pushes the lead to 3??
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 9, 2025
The junior's ???????? goal of the season ??
?? @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/KPRobIBHhO
The junior forward was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team, joined by Schulze, who also earned Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
Tourney accolades for Schulze + Sessa ??
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 9, 2025
Tournament Most Outstanding Player: Schulze
All-Tournament Team 'Cats: Schulze + Sessa
>> The pair put up a combined 14 points en route to the title ?? pic.twitter.com/1YBuYnoB7K
NU is now 3-3 in conference tournament title games, as head coach Tracey Fuchs improved her record to 14-13 on the stage. Earning her third Big Ten Tournament Championship, Fuchs and the 'Cats became just the 12th of 33 all-time No. 1 seeds to claim the title.
Next, the Wildcats await their NCAA Tournament matchup, with Sunday night's selection show announcing the 18-team field at 9 p.m. CT. Should Northwestern earn a top-four seed, coach Fuchs' squad will secure hosting rights at Lakeside Field for the tournament's opening two rounds.
Players Mentioned
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