Wildcats Face Michigan in Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal

10/25/2018 2:05:00 PM | Field Hockey

2018 NORTHWESTERN FIELD HOCKEY
DATE	OPPONENT	TIME (CT)	LOCATION	WATCH	LIVE STATS
Sunday, Oct. 28	No. 10 Michigan	Noon	Ann Arbor, Mich.	BTN2GO	Sidearm
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EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern will begin the postseason at No. 10 Michigan in Ann Arbor in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday at noon.

The Wildcats are seeded seventh while the Wolverines are seeded second. The winner will advance to the semifinals, which will be hosted along with the championship match, by Northwestern in Evanston on Nov. 2 and 4.

The two teams previously faced each other this season on Sept. 28 when Michigan pulled off a 3-2 win in Ann Arbor. Last season, the 'Cats faced off against Michigan three times in the regular season, the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.

The 'Cats are coming off a 6-1 victory against Ball State at home on Sunday. Puck Pentenga and Lakin Barry both scored twice against the Cardinals, while Eva van Agt and Mackenzie Keegan scored one goal each. Northwestern only allowed two shots on goal the entire game.

The 'Cats will look to continue their strong defensive effort heading into Sunday's game with their eye on Michigan's Emma Way. The senior leads the Big Ten in shots (81) and goals (16).

Pentenga is the second highest in the Big Ten in shots and third in points with 34. Northwestern's Kirsten Mansfield and Pentenga are both ranked second and third, respectively, in the Big Ten for assists this season.

The 'Cats offensive leaders will be facing Michigan's goalkeeper, Anna Speiker, who is ranked third in the Big Ten in shutouts and averages 3.9 saves per game.

Michigan is 7-1 in the conference and 12-5 overall. The Wolverines won their final three games of the season and edged out Ohio State in double-overtime on Sunday to clinch a share of the Big Ten regular season title for the second year in a row. Michigan boasts an 8-0 record at home in 2018.

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