Northwestern University Athletics
Sunday, November 16
Charlottesville, Va.
12 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Miami (OH)
‘Cats to Meet No. 11 RedHawks in NCAA Quarterfinal
11/15/2025 5:33:00 PM | Field Hockey
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Headed into the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, the No. 2 Northwestern field hockey team is set to take on No. 11 Miami (OH) on Sunday. After a four-goal second half on Friday, the Wildcats (19-1, 8-0 Big Ten) defeated No. 12 Yale, 5-1, in the first round. Now, NU meets the RedHawks (16-4, 8-1 MAC) on Nov. 16 at noon CT, to fight for a trip to the Final Four.
Streaming on ESPN+ for their second matchup this season, the 'Cats look to defeat Miami (OH) again, as they attack another national championship.
NU enters the top-15 matchup on an eight-game win streak, leading the nation on both sides of the ball. Junior forward Ashley Sessa recently took the No. 1 spot in the NCAA in points per game (3.32), while redshirt first-year goalkeeper Juliana Boon leads the country in goals against average (.61).
Scouting the RedHawks
Northwestern leads the all-time series against the RedHawks through 22 games, with a dominant 21-1 tally. Meeting for the first time in 1988, their last matchup was earlier this season, with a 5-1 win in Louisville on Sept. 14. In their most recent matchup in the NCAA Tournament, the 'Cats took a 9-2 victory in the First Round in 2024.
Miami (OH) enters the second-round game on a nine-game winning streak after claiming its first-ever victory in an NCAA Tournament game. The RedHawks' 2-1 win over No. 4 seed Virginia was their best victory of the season. MOH was outshot 10-8 and made five saves, yet came out with the win.
The RedHawks' offense is led by first-years Malena Sabez and Justina Intzes. Sabez has posted 24 goals this season, while Intzes has tallied 20. The pair scored both of Miami (OH)'s goals in Friday's game and appear in the top-10 nationally for goals per game.
NCAA Tournament History
The Wildcats are now 27-20 (.574) in the NCAA Tournament, competing in "the dance" in 21 seasons. NU is 8-9 in second-round games, and 4-2 when led by Coach Fuchs. In her eight prior tournament appearances, Fuchs and her coaching staff have coached NU to four-straight championship games (2021-24) and two titles (2021, 2024).
Miami (OH) finds itself in new territory after earning its first-ever win in the NCAA Tournament on Friday. Meeting in the first round for the past three seasons, the 'Cats are 3-0 against the RedHawks all-time on the NCAA Tournament stage.
Northwestern Notables
Last Time Out: Behind a four-goal second half, the No. 2 Northwestern field hockey team defeated No. 12 Yale, 5-1, on Friday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats allowed only three shots from the Bulldogs, as junior forwards Piper Borz and Sessa put away two goals apiece.
Graduate student midfielder Maddie Zimmer chipped in with a goal of her own, while Sessa and sophomore Eva Nemeth posted assists. NU outshot the Bulldogs 24-3, en route to the victory for a spot in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
With 54 saves through her first 20 collegiate starts, redshirt first-year goalkeeper Boon leads the Big Ten and the nation in goals against average (0.61) and is second in the NCAA in save percentage (0.818). She has allowed 12 goals on the year, is second in the country in goalie win-loss percentage (0.941), and has been credited with 10 of NU's 12 shutouts.
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Sessa leads the NCAA in points per game (3.22), and continues to climb the NU leaderboards in scoring, recently reaching T-5th for career points, in just her second year as a Wildcat.
The 2025 captains for Northwestern are Aerin Krys, Greta Hinke, and Zimmer.
Northwestern had an impressive showing in the Big Ten Postseason Awards, announced on Wednesday. NU brought home five individual honors, as well as eight 'Cats being named to all-conference teams. Zimmer earned a unanimous selection for her second-straight Big Ten Player of the Year award, while Sessa and Ilse Tromp were named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively. Coach Fuchs and her staff collected their third consecutive Big Ten Coaching Staff of the Year accolade, as the trio has led the 'Cats to three-straight outright regular season conference titles.
NFHCA Week Ten Ranking: No. 2. The Nov. 11 ranking listed Northwestern as the second-ranked team in the nation for the fourth consecutive week. The 'Cats reigned in the NFHCA poll for seven straight polls, which had not been done by any team since 2022. While now No. 2, the 'Cats are sharing first-place votes with No. 1 UNC.
With a win, Northwestern would claim a ticket to its fifth-straight Final Four. Seeking to attack another national championship, the 'Cats have been in the past four title games, winning in 2021 and 2024. The 2025 Final Four will be hosted by Duke in Durham, N.C. The semifinal games will be played on Friday, Nov. 21, with the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Streaming on ESPN+ for their second matchup this season, the 'Cats look to defeat Miami (OH) again, as they attack another national championship.
NU enters the top-15 matchup on an eight-game win streak, leading the nation on both sides of the ball. Junior forward Ashley Sessa recently took the No. 1 spot in the NCAA in points per game (3.32), while redshirt first-year goalkeeper Juliana Boon leads the country in goals against average (.61).
Scouting the RedHawks
Northwestern leads the all-time series against the RedHawks through 22 games, with a dominant 21-1 tally. Meeting for the first time in 1988, their last matchup was earlier this season, with a 5-1 win in Louisville on Sept. 14. In their most recent matchup in the NCAA Tournament, the 'Cats took a 9-2 victory in the First Round in 2024.
Miami (OH) enters the second-round game on a nine-game winning streak after claiming its first-ever victory in an NCAA Tournament game. The RedHawks' 2-1 win over No. 4 seed Virginia was their best victory of the season. MOH was outshot 10-8 and made five saves, yet came out with the win.
The RedHawks' offense is led by first-years Malena Sabez and Justina Intzes. Sabez has posted 24 goals this season, while Intzes has tallied 20. The pair scored both of Miami (OH)'s goals in Friday's game and appear in the top-10 nationally for goals per game.
NCAA Tournament History
The Wildcats are now 27-20 (.574) in the NCAA Tournament, competing in "the dance" in 21 seasons. NU is 8-9 in second-round games, and 4-2 when led by Coach Fuchs. In her eight prior tournament appearances, Fuchs and her coaching staff have coached NU to four-straight championship games (2021-24) and two titles (2021, 2024).
Miami (OH) finds itself in new territory after earning its first-ever win in the NCAA Tournament on Friday. Meeting in the first round for the past three seasons, the 'Cats are 3-0 against the RedHawks all-time on the NCAA Tournament stage.
Northwestern Notables
Last Time Out: Behind a four-goal second half, the No. 2 Northwestern field hockey team defeated No. 12 Yale, 5-1, on Friday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats allowed only three shots from the Bulldogs, as junior forwards Piper Borz and Sessa put away two goals apiece.
Graduate student midfielder Maddie Zimmer chipped in with a goal of her own, while Sessa and sophomore Eva Nemeth posted assists. NU outshot the Bulldogs 24-3, en route to the victory for a spot in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
Fought for the 5-1 victory yesterday.
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 15, 2025
>> tomorrow the QFs.
?? First Round vs Yale recap pic.twitter.com/xureaYNyzv
With 54 saves through her first 20 collegiate starts, redshirt first-year goalkeeper Boon leads the Big Ten and the nation in goals against average (0.61) and is second in the NCAA in save percentage (0.818). She has allowed 12 goals on the year, is second in the country in goalie win-loss percentage (0.941), and has been credited with 10 of NU's 12 shutouts.
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Sessa leads the NCAA in points per game (3.22), and continues to climb the NU leaderboards in scoring, recently reaching T-5th for career points, in just her second year as a Wildcat.
The 2025 captains for Northwestern are Aerin Krys, Greta Hinke, and Zimmer.
Northwestern had an impressive showing in the Big Ten Postseason Awards, announced on Wednesday. NU brought home five individual honors, as well as eight 'Cats being named to all-conference teams. Zimmer earned a unanimous selection for her second-straight Big Ten Player of the Year award, while Sessa and Ilse Tromp were named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively. Coach Fuchs and her staff collected their third consecutive Big Ten Coaching Staff of the Year accolade, as the trio has led the 'Cats to three-straight outright regular season conference titles.
NFHCA Week Ten Ranking: No. 2. The Nov. 11 ranking listed Northwestern as the second-ranked team in the nation for the fourth consecutive week. The 'Cats reigned in the NFHCA poll for seven straight polls, which had not been done by any team since 2022. While now No. 2, the 'Cats are sharing first-place votes with No. 1 UNC.
With a win, Northwestern would claim a ticket to its fifth-straight Final Four. Seeking to attack another national championship, the 'Cats have been in the past four title games, winning in 2021 and 2024. The 2025 Final Four will be hosted by Duke in Durham, N.C. The semifinal games will be played on Friday, Nov. 21, with the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Players Mentioned
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/ Field HockeyField Hockey - NU Downs No. 12 Yale 5-1, Advances to NCAA Quarterfinal
Friday, November 14
Field Hockey - Schulze, ‘Cats Best Michigan, 5-3, in Big Ten Semifinal
Sunday, November 09
Field Hockey - Northwestern Wins Big Ten Tournament Championship, Defeats Iowa 3-0
Sunday, November 09
Field Hockey - Sessa Notches Four Goals in NU Shutout at Michigan State (10/31/25)
Friday, October 31
