No. 2 Northwestern Travels to Maryland for ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Friday, September 1

College Park, Md.

6:30 p.m. CT

Northwestern

#17 Boston College

No. 2 Northwestern Travels to Maryland for ACC/Big Ten Challenge

8/31/2023 8:06:00 PM | Field Hockey

EVANSTON, Ill. — No. 2 Northwestern travels to College Park, Maryland, this weekend for a pair of games in the B1G/ACC Challenge. The Wildcats face No. 17 Boston College on Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT, followed by a clash against No. 20 Duke on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT. Both games will be televised on BTN+.

Storylines

Northwestern is coming off a season-opening defeat to No. 9 Louisville on Sunday, Aug. 27, the program's first loss in an opener since 2018. The Wildcats outshot the Cardinals 21-3, including 10-1 on goal, but were unable to find the breakthrough. Louisville notched the only score of the game on its first penalty corner in the third quarter.
Head coach Tracey Fuchs announced the addition of Tristan Clemons to the coaching staff last week. Clemons, who is now an assistant coach for the 'Cats, served as a volunteer assistant on Fuchs' staff for three seasons, most recently during the 2021 spring season. Clemons, a successful goaltender for the Australian Men's Hockey Team, will work with Northwestern's goalkeepers this season.
The 'Cats had three student-athletes named to the Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch list on Wednesday: fifth-year Peyton Halsey and seniors Annabel Skubisz and Lauren Wadas. Both Skubisz and Wadas were named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team in 2022, while Halsey was named to the NFHCA All-West Second Team.
Boston College commenced its 2023 campaign with back-to-back victories on the road against Maine and Providence. The Eagles have outscored opponents 6-1 through their first two contests, led by Peyton Hale and Mia Garber, who have each tallied two goals.
Duke is 1-0 on the season, having defeated Indiana 3-2 last Friday. Three different Blue Devils — Kira Curland, Macy Szukics and Alaina McVeigh — placed their names on the scoresheet in the victory.

Matchup Information

Friday's game marks the 19th all-time meeting between Northwestern and Boston College, a series the 'Cats lead 14-4.
Sunday's game marks the 14th all-time meeting between Northwestern and Duke, a series the Blue Devils lead 8-5.
The 'Cats defeated the Eagles 6-0 in last year's B1G/ACC Challenge, featuring goals from Chloe Relford, Lane Herbert and Peyton Halsey.
Northwestern emerged victorious in its most recent meeting against Duke, dispatching the Blue Devils 2-0.