Friday, September 19
Newark, Del.
3 p.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Delaware
NU Headed to Delaware, Villanova
9/18/2025 1:34:00 PM | Field Hockey
EVANSTON, Ill. - After another 2-0 road weekend, the No. 1 Northwestern field hockey team (6-0) is headed to Delaware and Villanova to conclude its season-opening away stint. The Wildcats will face Delaware (2-3) and Villanova (1-4) on Friday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 21 respectively.
The 'Cats take on the Blue Hens first, making the trip to Newark, Del., for a 3 p.m. CT game at Fred P. Rullo Stadium on Friday. The non-conference matchup will be a familiar setting for sophomore midfielder Kate Janssen, who transferred from Delaware this past offseason.
Two days later, NU competes in Conshohocken, Pa., facing the Villanova Wildcats. The clash of the Wildcats is set for 11 a.m. CT on Sunday, and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Scouting Delaware
With only three games of history against the Blue Hens dating back to 1999, NU trails in the all-time series 2-1. The last matchup was a 4-1 victory for the 'Cats in the first round of the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament.
Delaware concluded its 2024 campaign with a 12-10 (.545) record. The Blue Hens' season ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, falling to North Carolina, 4-0. Junior Midfielder Kate Fiest is the lone Blue Hen to appear in the 2025 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Preseason Watchlist.
Scouting Villanova
Northwestern is tied in the all-time series against Villanova through three games, with a 1-1-1 tally since 1981. The most recent matchup was in 2000, a 2-0 loss for NU in Evanston.
Villanova concluded its 2024 campaign with a 10-7 (.588) record. Nova's 2025 offense has been led by Ava Borkowski, as the senior forward has notched six points through five games. In addition to Borkowski, Gemma Lysaght and Molly Zimmerman appear in the 2025 NFHCA Preseason Watchlist. Despite a rough opening stretch for Villanova, VU defeated La Salle 3-0 in their lone home contest so far this season.
Northwestern Notables
Last weekend, after a gritty overtime victory at Louisville on Friday, the No. 1 Northwestern field hockey team (6-0) found its groove, defeating No. 20 Miami (OH), 5-1, on Sunday morning. The Wildcats collected their 40th consecutive regular season win behind the offensive lead from Ashley Sessa and Ilse Tromp.
Sessa led the 'Cats offensively in the Louisville weekend, notching six points with two goals and two assists. Tromp collected four points on two goals, both against No. 20 Miami (OH). Aerin Krys tallied three assists.
Boon posted nine saves at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, as she became the first goalkeeper for the 'Cats since 2003 (Sherri-Anne Nyberg) to collect four shutouts as a first-year. Boon is also the first goalkeeper to log four consecutive clean sheets for NU in their first season since Shannon Small in 1990. With 15 saves through her first six collegiate starts, allowing only two goals by opponents, Boon ranks second in the nation in goals allowed average (.332).
After claiming their second national championship in four years, and eighth Big Ten regular season title, the 'Cats look ahead to attack their 2025 slate. Over half of Northwestern's 2025 opponents appear in NFHCA preseason rankings.
The 2025 captains for Northwestern are Greta Hinke, Krys and Maddie Zimmer.
NFHCA Week Two Ranking: No. 1. The Sept. 16 ranking maintains NU's Week One No. 1 position, following its first ever unanimous preseason No. 1 from the NFHCA. The Wildcats spent six weeks in the No. 1 spot last season en route to winning the program's second national title.
The 'Cats take on the Blue Hens first, making the trip to Newark, Del., for a 3 p.m. CT game at Fred P. Rullo Stadium on Friday. The non-conference matchup will be a familiar setting for sophomore midfielder Kate Janssen, who transferred from Delaware this past offseason.
Two days later, NU competes in Conshohocken, Pa., facing the Villanova Wildcats. The clash of the Wildcats is set for 11 a.m. CT on Sunday, and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Scouting Delaware
With only three games of history against the Blue Hens dating back to 1999, NU trails in the all-time series 2-1. The last matchup was a 4-1 victory for the 'Cats in the first round of the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament.
Delaware concluded its 2024 campaign with a 12-10 (.545) record. The Blue Hens' season ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, falling to North Carolina, 4-0. Junior Midfielder Kate Fiest is the lone Blue Hen to appear in the 2025 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Preseason Watchlist.
Scouting Villanova
Northwestern is tied in the all-time series against Villanova through three games, with a 1-1-1 tally since 1981. The most recent matchup was in 2000, a 2-0 loss for NU in Evanston.
Villanova concluded its 2024 campaign with a 10-7 (.588) record. Nova's 2025 offense has been led by Ava Borkowski, as the senior forward has notched six points through five games. In addition to Borkowski, Gemma Lysaght and Molly Zimmerman appear in the 2025 NFHCA Preseason Watchlist. Despite a rough opening stretch for Villanova, VU defeated La Salle 3-0 in their lone home contest so far this season.
Northwestern Notables
Last weekend, after a gritty overtime victory at Louisville on Friday, the No. 1 Northwestern field hockey team (6-0) found its groove, defeating No. 20 Miami (OH), 5-1, on Sunday morning. The Wildcats collected their 40th consecutive regular season win behind the offensive lead from Ashley Sessa and Ilse Tromp.
Sessa led the 'Cats offensively in the Louisville weekend, notching six points with two goals and two assists. Tromp collected four points on two goals, both against No. 20 Miami (OH). Aerin Krys tallied three assists.
Boon posted nine saves at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, as she became the first goalkeeper for the 'Cats since 2003 (Sherri-Anne Nyberg) to collect four shutouts as a first-year. Boon is also the first goalkeeper to log four consecutive clean sheets for NU in their first season since Shannon Small in 1990. With 15 saves through her first six collegiate starts, allowing only two goals by opponents, Boon ranks second in the nation in goals allowed average (.332).
After claiming their second national championship in four years, and eighth Big Ten regular season title, the 'Cats look ahead to attack their 2025 slate. Over half of Northwestern's 2025 opponents appear in NFHCA preseason rankings.
The 2025 captains for Northwestern are Greta Hinke, Krys and Maddie Zimmer.
NFHCA Week Two Ranking: No. 1. The Sept. 16 ranking maintains NU's Week One No. 1 position, following its first ever unanimous preseason No. 1 from the NFHCA. The Wildcats spent six weeks in the No. 1 spot last season en route to winning the program's second national title.
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