Northwestern
(11-4, 6-3)
#8 Rutgers
(9-6, 5-3)
Northwestern Advances to Big Ten Semifinals with Win over Rutgers
4/21/2021 8:15:00 PM | Field Hockey
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Northwestern will advance to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament after besting No. 8 Rutgers in the quarterfinals, 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Just six minutes in, Lakin Barry took an advantage of a penalty corner in the first quarter to grab the lead for the Wildcats. Staunch defense held the Scarlet Knights to just one shot in the first quarter. However, Rutgers was able to find an equalizer early in the second quarter.
Bente Baekers had the comeback for the Wildcats on a breakaway goal with an assist from Katie Jones, her first of the season. It marks the fifth-consecutive game in which Baekers has scored a goal.
Rutgers tried to come alive in the third in response and rattled off five shots, but Annabel Skubisz was a brick wall, coming up with three saves.
With a 2-1 advantage going into the final quarter and time on their side, the Wildcats were able to control the pace of the game. Northwestern allowed just three shots, two of which were off target and the other blocked by a Wildcat defender.
This marks the sixth time in the last seven seasons in which Tracey Fuchs' squad has advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
The 'Cats will face Ohio State tomorrow at 6:30 on the Big Ten Network. Northwestern completed a regular season sweep of the Buckeyes earlier this season in two overtime thrillers.
Team Stats
Lakin Barry (2)
Assisted By: Shannon Daley , Christen Conley
redirection
6:05
Molyneaux, Bridy (4)
Assisted By: Shetler, Kassidy
deflected off 12, tapped into left corne
17:15
Bente Baekers (11)
Assisted By: Katie Jones
GOAL by NU Bente Baekers, Assist by Katie Jones, goal number 11 for season.
33:26
