'Cats Advance to Quarterfinals in the NCAA Tournament

Friday, November 12

Iowa City, Iowa

2:30 p.m. CT

Northwestern

(15-5)

#8 North Carolina

(13-7)

North Carolina

Northwestern

'Cats Advance to Quarterfinals in the NCAA Tournament

11/12/2021 4:09:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Wildcats took down North Carolina 2-0 in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Northwestern came out on top in possession time in the first half, getting off five shots and earning two corners while the Tar Heels could only muster two shots and a corner of their own.

They're moving on ??@NUFHCats advances in the NCAA Tournament with a 2-0 victory against North Carolina. pic.twitter.com/0d8lOLEIHL
— Northwestern On BTN (@NUOnBTN) November 12, 2021

After a scoreless, but high intensity first half, Northwestern somehow managed to ratchet up their offensive barrage even further. Ana Medina Garcia was able to get the 'Cats a one-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter with a hustle play off a rebound from Clara Roth.

With just five minutes to go in the final quarter, North Carolina pulled their goalie to get an extra attacker on the field prematurely. Annabel Skubisz came up with a big save that went right to Maddie Zimmer, who took it coast to coast and rocketed in an easy shot on an empty net.

SKUBISZ WITH THE SAVE AND ZIMMER GOES COAST ?? COAST. SHEESH ?????? pic.twitter.com/Vh9Fb9IpSK
— Northwestern FH (@NUFHCats) November 12, 2021

Northwestern will advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament to face Iowa on Sunday at noon. The Wildcats dealt the Hawkeyes their first loss of the season with a 2-1 victory to close out their regular season.