Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
#12 Harvard
Wildcats Ready For NCAA Final Four
11/18/2021 8:00:00β―AM | Field Hockey
| NORTHWESTERN FIELD HOCKEY: GAMEDAY INFORMATION | |||||
| DATE | Opponent | TIME | LOCATION | Stream | Live Stats |
| Friday, November 19 | Harvard | 3 p.m. CT | Ann Arbor, Mich. | ESPN+ | Live Stats |
| Social: Twitter: @NUFHCats Instagram: @NUFHCats | |||||
ANN ARBOR, Mich. β For the first time since 1994, the 'Cats will be heading to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament where they will face No. 12 Harvard at 3Β p.m. on Friday in Ann Arbor on ESPN+.
"Every year we've made it a step further," Kayla Blas said, speaking on her tenure with Northwestern. "We have the talent, but more importantly we have the team chemistry to be a final four team, to be a national championship contender."Β
Northwestern defeated No. 3 Iowa last weekend, 1-0, to advance past the quarterfinals. It marked their second win over the Hawkeyes in Iowa City this season. Lauren Wadas scored the game-winning goal on a solo shot from the top of the circle with just one minute left in regulation; just one of many late game-winners the 'Cats have come up with so far this season.
"We're playing until the last minute, we're never giving up and we're playing for each other," Wadas explained. "Every player is ready to go at any time, we play as a team. We're very balanced from our goalkeeper up to our forwards so anyone can finish on any opportunity."
Despite the low score, Northwestern's offense was relentless. The 'Cats outpaced the Hawkeyes in every category, firing off 13 shots, six of which were on goal, and earning four penalty corners. Tracey Fuchs hopes to maintain this momentum and take advantage of Northwestern's offensive strength and speed in their upcoming match against the Crimson.Β
"We just need to play our game, play quick and not worry about mistakes," Fuchs said. "We know we get a lot of opportunities and we really need to attack the outsides to get their defenders on the move if we're going to draw corners and get shots on their goalkeeper."
Harvard will enter their match-up against the Wildcats with a 1-0 win by penalty shootout over No. 2 Michigan under their belt. This match-up will be the Crimson's first-ever appearance in the NCAA final four.Β
Blas believes it will come down to who wants it more, and she would trust her fellow Wildcats over anyone else. Peyton Halsey agrees,
"This is the closest team I've ever been on and I think it shows in our success," Halsey said.
The winner of Friday's semifinal matchup will move on to face the winner of Maryland/Liberty in the national championship game, which takes place in Ann Arbor on Sunday, Nov. 21 at 1 pm CT on ESPNU.
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