Northwestern
(14-5, 5-3)
#2 Michigan
(14-3, 5-3)
Northwestern Drops Battle with No. 2 Michigan in Shootout
11/4/2021 1:02:00 PM | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The 'Cats dropped their quarterfinal match of the Big Ten Tournament, 3-2, in a shootout after a hard fought battle with the Wolverines.
Annabel Skubisz was a brick wall in the goal, recording a game-high 10 saves on 12 shots on goal. In all, the Wildcat defense faced a whopping 24 shots and were able to neutralize all but two.
Northwestern came out of the gates firing, outshooting the Wolverines five to one in the first period. However, Michigan was able to capitalize on their single shot and take a 1-0 lead early.
The 'Cats responded at the second with the equalizer off a successful counter attack. Kayla Blas got things started on the defensive end with a clean tackle and Bente Baekers pushed the ball up the field to Katie Jones. Clara Roth finished things off, chipping the ball just over the goalie and into the back of the cage.
Michigan dominated the third quarter with an offensive barrage, earning four corners and putting away a diving shot to take a 2-1 lead. The Wildcats responded immediately to start the fourth quarter and once again evened things out with a successful penalty corner via a strong sweep from Maren Seidel.
Both teams went back and forth through two overtimes but no one was able to put anything away, sending the game into a shootout. Baekers was the only Northwestern player to send in a shot over the Michigan goalie and Northwestern was knocked out of the Big Ten Championship.
The 'Cats hope to continue their postseason run in the NCAA tournament; the selection show will be at 9 p.m. CT Sunday, streamed on NCAA.com.
Team Stats
Anderson, Katie (4)
Assisted By: Pyrtek, Sarah
shot from top of arc
10:55
Roth,Clara (13)
Assisted By: Jones,Katie
pass to open player, back post
24:56
Southam, Sofia (3)
Assisted By: Tamer, Abby
dove to finish pass
40:38
Seidel,Maren
Assisted By: Marshall,Alia , Blas,Kayla
GOAL by NU Seidel,Maren, Assist by Marshall,Alia and Blas,Kayla.
46:28
Apoola, Nina
80:00
