Northwestern University Athletics

'Cats Crowned Tournament Champions After Overtime Thriller
11/5/2023 3:42:00β―PM | Field Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - No. 1 Northwestern field hockey completed the sweep of Big Ten titles with a thrilling 1-0 double-overtime defeat of the No. 8 Maryland Terrapins in the Big Ten Tournament Championship on Sunday in Ann Arbor. It's the Wildcats' second tournament title all-time and their first since 2014.
The 'Cats' defense was once again on display early in the title game, limiting the Terrapins to just three shots in the first half. Maryland was up to the task, too, however, and the game entered halftime knotted at zero.
Both sides continued to impress in the second half of regulation. Northwestern generated five corners in the final 30 minutes of regulation, but couldn't convert on any of them. For just the third time all season, the 'Cats headed to overtime with the game still scoreless.
The first overtime period also ended in a stalemate, and it wasn't until the 77th minute of the Championship game that Northwestern finally broke through. Olivia Bent-Cole notched her ninth goal of the season unassisted to crown the 'Cats Big Ten Tournament champions.
With both conference titles under their belt, the Wildcats will prepare for the NCAA Tournament. Seeding and host sites will be announced on Sunday evening at 9 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
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BIG TEN TOURNAMENT CHAMPS ???? pic.twitter.com/mwiWd2u4Z3
β Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 5, 2023
The 'Cats' defense was once again on display early in the title game, limiting the Terrapins to just three shots in the first half. Maryland was up to the task, too, however, and the game entered halftime knotted at zero.
Both sides continued to impress in the second half of regulation. Northwestern generated five corners in the final 30 minutes of regulation, but couldn't convert on any of them. For just the third time all season, the 'Cats headed to overtime with the game still scoreless.
The first overtime period also ended in a stalemate, and it wasn't until the 77th minute of the Championship game that Northwestern finally broke through. Olivia Bent-Cole notched her ninth goal of the season unassisted to crown the 'Cats Big Ten Tournament champions.
After shutting out Maryland and notching a season-high ten saves in the semifinal against Ohio State, goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz was named the Big Ten Tournament MVP. She is joined on the All-Tournament team by Bent-Cole and Katie Jones.Olivia Bent-GOAL!
β Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 6, 2023
The game-winner ?? pic.twitter.com/ltaz4JBytF
With both conference titles under their belt, the Wildcats will prepare for the NCAA Tournament. Seeding and host sites will be announced on Sunday evening at 9 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
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Team Stats
UMD
NU
Goals
0
1
Shots
8
22
Shots on Goal
5
11
Saves
10
5
Corners
3
17
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
0
0
Scoring Plays

Bent-Cole,Olivia (9)
baseline carry from right side
77:39
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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