Northwestern
(11-5, 6-3)
Ohio State
(7-8, 2-5)
'Cats Fall in Overtime at Big Ten Semifinals
4/22/2021 8:35:00 PM | Field Hockey
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Northwestern dropped the semifinal match of the Big Ten Tournament to Ohio State in a 2-1 overtime decision on Thursday night.
The Wildcats ended the first quarter with three back-to-back shots and two penalty corners, putting the momentum in their hands. Going into the second quarter Northwestern switched gears to showcase their defensive effort.
Annabel Skubisz notched four saves in the second, locking down the net for the 'Cats. Skubisz totaled six saves on the night. She has led Northwestern in the goal with 52 saves on the season and a 0.776 save percentage. However, the game remained scoreless going into the half.
Bente Baekers was the first player to find the back of the net and gave Northwestern the edge with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter. Ana Medina Garcia dribbled it into the circle before passing it off to Baekers who sent in a short shot on the left side for her sixth-consecutive game with a goal.
Baekers has led the 'Cats on the offensive end all season, recording 12 goals and five assists (second to Christen Conley's six this season.) Medina Garcia is second on goals with six, but this was just her second assist of the season.
The Buckeyes managed to tie things up early in the final quarter and the 'Cats were unable to respond, sending things into overtime. Two minutes in, Ohio State found the golden goal to send the Buckeyes to the Big Ten Championship.
The Wildcats will look to secure one of three at-large selections for the 12 team NCAA Tournament. The selection show will take place this Saturday at 9 pm CT.
Team Stats
Bente Baekers (12)
Assisted By: Ana Medina Garcia
dribbled in by 20, short shot from left
44:14
Allessie, Mackenzie (15)
Assisted By: Goldean, Emma
off corner
46:53
Maloney, Tess (2)
Assisted By: Bough, Leanne
long shot from 1, redirected in
62:39
