Northwestern University Athletics

Friday, September 16
Columbus, Ohio
2 p.m.

Northwestern

5
at
1

Ohio State

Lily Gandhi

Northwestern Rolls Ohio State in Big Ten Opener, 5-1

9/16/2016 6:40:00β€―PM | Field Hockey

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State struck first but 15th-ranked Northwestern responded for five consecutive goals in rolling to a 5-1 victory in the Big Ten opener for both teams Friday afternoon at Buckeye Varsity Field.
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"We had a bit of a sluggish start but really came back strong," Northwestern head coach Tracey Fuchs said.Β  "I'm very happy to get our first Big Ten win on the road and we're looking forward to another good match on Sunday."
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Ohio State struck quickly in the contest, tallying a goal at the 3:02 mark to surge in front 1-0 thanks to the tally by Esther Clotet-Alsina.
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The Wildcats would battle back and get the equalizer when a pair of Dutch players teamed up. Saar de Breij connected with her countrywoman Puck Pentenga who beat Liz Tamburro with a reverse-stick shot from five yards out to make it 1-1 at 11:26.
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It didn't take long for NU to take the lead as the 'Cats earned a penalty corner and Dominique Masters ripped home her fifth goal of the year to put the visitors up 2-1 at 14:02. Sophia Miller and Lily Gandhi were credited with assists on the play.
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The scoring ambush continued a little under a minute later thanks to another penalty corner for Northwestern. Masters' hit from the top of the circle was deflected in by Eva van Agt and suddenly the Wildcats found themselves up 3-1 with 20 minutes still left in the opening half. Β 
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NU wasn't done in the first half, though, as it got one more back-breaking score right before the break. Saar de Breij notched her second goal of the season off an assist from Masters with just 25 seconds left in the half, putting Northwestern in front 4-1 at the intermission.
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The 'Cats put the game out of reach early in the second half, scoring just a tick under three minutes into the stanza when Kirsten Mansfield tipped home a feed from Isabel Flens following a penalty corner.
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The offensive output was more than enough for Lindsay von der Luft who contributed six saves in goal to earn the victory.
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Northwestern finished with a 19-13 edge in shots while Ohio State had a 9-7 advantage in penalty corners.
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The Wildcats return to action at 11 a.m. Central time when they remain in Ohio to take on Kent State.
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