Northwestern
Duke
Top-Ranked Wildcats Host No. 5 Duke and No. 17 Boston College in B1G/ACC Challenge
9/5/2024 11:29:00 AM | Field Hockey
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern, the No. 1 team in the NFHCA poll, is set for a pivotal weekend as they host the B1G/ACC Challenge at Lakeside Field. The Wildcats will face two ranked opponents: No. 5 Duke on Friday, September 6 at 11 AM CT, and No. 17 Boston College on Sunday, September 8 at 3 PM CT. The event also features two neutral-site games, with No. 4 Maryland playing Boston College and Duke. All matches will be available to stream on B1G+, and admission is free.
Catch the 'Cats vs Duke x2 on Friday ??
— Northwestern Athletics (@NU_Sports) September 5, 2024
??: 11 am CT
??: 8 pm CT pic.twitter.com/adERFtaNZ8
Northwestern vs. Duke (Friday, 9/6, 11 AM CT)
The Wildcats have a recent history of success against Duke, winning both encounters last season. The first took place on September 3, 2023, in College Park, Maryland, where Northwestern, ranked No. 2 at the time, beat the No. 20 Blue Devils 3-2. After Duke jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first quarter, the Wildcats responded with three unanswered goals, including one from returning graduate student Chloe Relford and an assist from Maja Zivojnovic. The two teams met again in the national semifinals on November 17 in Chapel Hill, where the Wildcats earned a 2-1 victory. Ilse Tromp scored off a penalty corner, while Regan Cornelius added the game-winner, assisted by Olivia Bent-Cole. This win sent the Wildcats to the National Championship game, and they'll look to extend their winning streak to five straight against Duke.
Duke, ranked No. 5 in the current poll, brings a disciplined attack and will look to upset the Wildcats on their home turf. Northwestern's offense, led by Bent-Cole (3 goals last weekend) and Zimmer (2 goals, 1 assist), will need to break through Duke's defensive structure.
Maddie Magic ??
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) September 5, 2024
Check out both of Zimmer's goals from last weekend ?? pic.twitter.com/Oj2PUQD4Wh
Northwestern vs. Boston College (Sunday, 9/8, 3 PM CT)
The Wildcats will finish the weekend with a showdown against No. 17 Boston College. Last season, Northwestern edged out the Eagles 1-0 in overtime on September 1 in College Park, Maryland. The game-winner was set up by Ilse Tromp, with Northwestern dominating possession, outshooting the Eagles 13-8, and goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz making 5 key saves to preserve the shutout.
Boston College's aggressive playstyle will test the Wildcats' defense, but with Skubisz solid in goal and the offense in good form, Northwestern is well-positioned to come out on top. Sophomore Ashley Sessa, who leads the team with 3 assists and 1 goal, will be crucial in driving the team's attack.
Additional B1G/ACC Challenge Games
In addition to Northwestern's games, No. 4 Maryland will face Boston College on Friday at 2 PM CT and will then meet Duke on Sunday at 11 AM CT, with both matches also being held at Lakeside Field. Fans are encouraged to attend, but those coming to Friday's games must exit the parking garage by 3 PM due to Northwestern football's evening game.
