Northwestern University Athletics

Photo by: Stephen J. Carrera
No. 3 'Cats Head East for Showdown with No. 23 Rutgers
10/5/2022 10:15:00 AM | Field Hockey
NORTHWESTERN FIELD HOCKEY: GAMEDAY INFORMATION | |||||
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME | LOCATION | STREAM | STATS |
Saturday, October 8 | No. 23 Rutgers | 11 a.m. CT | Piscataway, N.J. | Big Ten Plus | Live Stats |
Social: Twitter: @NUFHCats Instagram: @NUFHCats |
EVANSTON, Ill. – No. 3 Northwestern heads east this weekend for its first road Big Ten match of the season, taking on No. 23 Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. Saturday morning. The game will be streamed on Big Ten Plus at 11 a.m. CT.
STORYLINES
» Saturday's matchup with No. 23 Rutgers will be Northwestern's fourth Big Ten game of the season, and after the latest NFHCA Coaches Poll was released Tuesday, each of the Wildcats' conference games so far have come against ranked opponents. On the season, this weekend will mark Northwestern's 11th ranked showdown 13 games into its national title defense. After Rutgers, the Wildcats have two opponents remaining on the regular season schedule who were ranked in the latest poll, No. 10 Michigan and No. 24 Ohio State. Seven of the Big Ten's nine field hockey programs were ranked this week, including four in the top five.
» Chicago's Big Ten Team took back-to-back top-six opponents to overtime last weekend, headlined by Friday's thrilling 5-4 win over then-No. 6 Penn State. Trailing 4-2 late in the fourth quarter, senior midfielder Peyton Halsey cut the deficit to one in the 50th minute, forced overtime in the 60th and scored the game-winner in overtime, all on unassisted goals. Entering last Friday's game, Big Ten teams were 1-116 when trailing by two or more goals in the 50th minute or later since NCAA field hockey moved to quarters. Thanks to Halsey's heroics, Big Ten teams are now 2-117 in such scenarios. Northwestern accounted for both wins, having previously beaten Ohio State after trailing 2-0 in the 55th minute in spring 2021.
» Halsey's hat trick against Penn State was the first of her career. The historic feat made her the only Big Ten student-athlete to have scored three or more goals in the 50th minute or later in the same game since the NCAA instituted quarters. Her seven goals on the season are a career best and rank second on the team.
» Fifth-year forward Bente Baekers scored three goals last weekend to push her nation-leading total to 18 on the season. Baekers has scored five more goals than the next closest player, and also leads the country in goals per game (1.5), points (42) and points per game (3.5). The three-time All-American has scored a goal in 10 of Northwestern's 12 games this season, including in three games straight, and has scored multiple goals in six games.
» Goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz tied a career high with 11 saves against then-No. 4 Maryland Sunday. The junior also earned her 10th win of the season over the weekend, tied for the most by any keeper in the nation.
» Junior midfielder Lauren Wadas recorded the first two defensive saves of her career Sunday against then-No. 4 Maryland, becoming the first Wildcat with two in the same game since Elena Curley did so against Penn State in 2017. Wadas, who was named to the NFHCA Collegiate Watch List earlier this season, has been a major contributor on both ends, having recorded seven points in addition to her defensive prowess.
» Chicago's Big Ten Team took back-to-back top-six opponents to overtime last weekend, headlined by Friday's thrilling 5-4 win over then-No. 6 Penn State. Trailing 4-2 late in the fourth quarter, senior midfielder Peyton Halsey cut the deficit to one in the 50th minute, forced overtime in the 60th and scored the game-winner in overtime, all on unassisted goals. Entering last Friday's game, Big Ten teams were 1-116 when trailing by two or more goals in the 50th minute or later since NCAA field hockey moved to quarters. Thanks to Halsey's heroics, Big Ten teams are now 2-117 in such scenarios. Northwestern accounted for both wins, having previously beaten Ohio State after trailing 2-0 in the 55th minute in spring 2021.
Still catching my breath from yesterday's THRILLER ?? pic.twitter.com/5wNyokZSZk
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) October 1, 2022
» Halsey's hat trick against Penn State was the first of her career. The historic feat made her the only Big Ten student-athlete to have scored three or more goals in the 50th minute or later in the same game since the NCAA instituted quarters. Her seven goals on the season are a career best and rank second on the team.
» Fifth-year forward Bente Baekers scored three goals last weekend to push her nation-leading total to 18 on the season. Baekers has scored five more goals than the next closest player, and also leads the country in goals per game (1.5), points (42) and points per game (3.5). The three-time All-American has scored a goal in 10 of Northwestern's 12 games this season, including in three games straight, and has scored multiple goals in six games.
Third minute ???????????? ??
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) October 2, 2022
Marshall ?? Blas ?? Baekers puts the 'Cats in front 1-0!#B1GCats | #NUFH pic.twitter.com/bEZ9H1tcbI
» Goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz tied a career high with 11 saves against then-No. 4 Maryland Sunday. The junior also earned her 10th win of the season over the weekend, tied for the most by any keeper in the nation.
» Junior midfielder Lauren Wadas recorded the first two defensive saves of her career Sunday against then-No. 4 Maryland, becoming the first Wildcat with two in the same game since Elena Curley did so against Penn State in 2017. Wadas, who was named to the NFHCA Collegiate Watch List earlier this season, has been a major contributor on both ends, having recorded seven points in addition to her defensive prowess.
MATCHUP INFO
NO. 23 RUTGERS (Saturday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m. CT)
» Saturday's matchup with No. 23 Rutgers will be the 13th all-time meeting between the programs, a series Northwestern leads 8-4. The Wildcats were also ranked No. 3 when the teams met in Evanston last year.
» The Scarlet Knights have been ranked every week the season, with their highest mark coming at No. 8 in the preseason poll, although they have lost their last three games straight, all to Big Ten competition.
» Saturday's matchup with No. 23 Rutgers will be the 13th all-time meeting between the programs, a series Northwestern leads 8-4. The Wildcats were also ranked No. 3 when the teams met in Evanston last year.
» The Scarlet Knights have been ranked every week the season, with their highest mark coming at No. 8 in the preseason poll, although they have lost their last three games straight, all to Big Ten competition.
Players Mentioned
Field Hockey - Sessa, Zimmer Guide NU Past Penn State, 4-0
Saturday, October 11
Field Hockey - ‘Cats Claim Gritty 3-1 Win at No. 10 Iowa
Saturday, October 04
Field Hockey - Northwestern Overwhelms Indiana in Big Ten Opener, 5-0
Monday, September 29
Field Hockey - NU Claims 5-0 Victory at Villanova (9/21/25)
Monday, September 22