Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, November 7
Bloomington, Ind.
12 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Michigan
Photo by: Michelle Nartey/Northwestern Athletics
NU Opens Big Ten Tournament in Semifinal Against Michigan
11/6/2025 2:38:00 PM | Field Hockey
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - After an undefeated regular season of Big Ten competition, the Northwestern field hockey team is set for postseason play. With the third-straight regular-season title won, the Wildcats (16-1, 8-0 Big Ten) earned the No. 1 seed in the 2025 Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament, hosted by Indiana. NU will take the field in the semifinal against No. 4 seed Michigan (10-6, 4-4 Big Ten) on Friday, Nov. 7, at noon CT.
Both teams appear in the top 15 of the Week 9 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Poll, with the familiar matchup being broadcast on the Big Ten Network. No. 2 Northwestern and No. 15 Michigan will take the field for the second time this year, as they last met on Friday, Oct. 24, during regular-season play. The Wildcats won the game, 3-1, in Evanston, Ill.
Scouting the Wolverines
NU holds a 38-35 all-time record against Michigan, while the Wolverines lead 7-1 in the pair's Big Ten Tournament games. UM is coming off a double overtime win, knocking off No. 5 seed Rutgers in 75 minutes on Thursday. The quarterfinal game was decided, 2-1, to advance Michigan to the Friday morning matchup.
Michigan goalkeeper Hala Silverstein is tied with Northwestern's Juliana Boon for the fewest goals allowed in the Big Ten (eight). She is third in the conference in goals against average (1.06), and a key piece of the Wolverines' defense, allowing the third-fewest goals per game (1.33) in the Big Ten.
On the offensive side, graduate student Abby Tamer (1.20 points per game) and junior Juliette Manzur (1.25 points per game) lead Michigan in individual scoring and are in the top 15 in the conference in points.
Big Ten Tournament History
The Wildcats are 12-13 in Big Ten Tournament games under head coach Tracey Fuchs. Since taking the helm in 2009, Fuchs has greatly improved NU's success rate in the conference tournament. Before Fuchs, the 'Cats were 7-17 in Big Ten Tournament games.
Historically, the Wolverines have been the toughest opponent for the Wildcats on this stage. NU is 1-7 against Michigan all-time in the tournament, with its only win coming in 2014. The 2-1 overtime victory 11 years ago punched the 'Cats' ticket to the final and eventual tournament title, the first in program history. Last year, Northwestern won both of its regular-season games against the Wolverines but fell 1-0 in a well-matched battle in the tournament championship.
NU has played in five tournament championship games and won two (2014, 2023).
Northwestern Notables
Last Time Out: Behind a record performance from Ashley Sessa, the No. 2 Northwestern field hockey team closed its regular season with a 5-0 shutout victory at Michigan State on Friday, Oct. 31. The junior forward became the fifth-ever Wildcat to collect four goals in a game, as NU posted its 11th clean sheet of the season, and wrapped conference play undefeated. Sophomore midfielder Kate Janssen pitched in with her first goal at Northwestern, as the 'Cats kept control at Michigan State (5-12, 1-7 Big Ten).
With 51 saves through her first 17 collegiate starts, redshirt first-year goalkeeper Boon leads the Big Ten and the nation in goals against average (0.48) and save percentage (0.864). She has allowed just eight goals on the year, is second in the country in goalie win-loss percentage (0.938), and has been credited with nine of NU's 11 shutouts.
Three Northwestern starters are in the top 10 in the Big Ten in points per game: Sessa (No. 2 - 3.19 points per game), Ilse Tromp (No. 5 - 1.41), and Grace Schulze (No. 6 - 1.35).
The 2025 captains for Northwestern are Aerin Krys, Greta Hinke and Maddie 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 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 Nine Ranking: No. 2. The Nov. 4 ranking listed Northwestern as the second-ranked team in the nation for the third 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 on Friday, the Wildcats would advance to the Big Ten Tournament Championship game on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m. CT, also on BTN.
?? Bloomington, Ind.
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 6, 2025
Morning reps at Deborah Tobias Field ?? pic.twitter.com/jvILQN6QhV
Both teams appear in the top 15 of the Week 9 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Poll, with the familiar matchup being broadcast on the Big Ten Network. No. 2 Northwestern and No. 15 Michigan will take the field for the second time this year, as they last met on Friday, Oct. 24, during regular-season play. The Wildcats won the game, 3-1, in Evanston, Ill.
Scouting the Wolverines
NU holds a 38-35 all-time record against Michigan, while the Wolverines lead 7-1 in the pair's Big Ten Tournament games. UM is coming off a double overtime win, knocking off No. 5 seed Rutgers in 75 minutes on Thursday. The quarterfinal game was decided, 2-1, to advance Michigan to the Friday morning matchup.
Michigan goalkeeper Hala Silverstein is tied with Northwestern's Juliana Boon for the fewest goals allowed in the Big Ten (eight). She is third in the conference in goals against average (1.06), and a key piece of the Wolverines' defense, allowing the third-fewest goals per game (1.33) in the Big Ten.
On the offensive side, graduate student Abby Tamer (1.20 points per game) and junior Juliette Manzur (1.25 points per game) lead Michigan in individual scoring and are in the top 15 in the conference in points.
Big Ten Tournament History
The Wildcats are 12-13 in Big Ten Tournament games under head coach Tracey Fuchs. Since taking the helm in 2009, Fuchs has greatly improved NU's success rate in the conference tournament. Before Fuchs, the 'Cats were 7-17 in Big Ten Tournament games.
Historically, the Wolverines have been the toughest opponent for the Wildcats on this stage. NU is 1-7 against Michigan all-time in the tournament, with its only win coming in 2014. The 2-1 overtime victory 11 years ago punched the 'Cats' ticket to the final and eventual tournament title, the first in program history. Last year, Northwestern won both of its regular-season games against the Wolverines but fell 1-0 in a well-matched battle in the tournament championship.
NU has played in five tournament championship games and won two (2014, 2023).
Northwestern Notables
Last Time Out: Behind a record performance from Ashley Sessa, the No. 2 Northwestern field hockey team closed its regular season with a 5-0 shutout victory at Michigan State on Friday, Oct. 31. The junior forward became the fifth-ever Wildcat to collect four goals in a game, as NU posted its 11th clean sheet of the season, and wrapped conference play undefeated. Sophomore midfielder Kate Janssen pitched in with her first goal at Northwestern, as the 'Cats kept control at Michigan State (5-12, 1-7 Big Ten).
On Friday, Ashley Sessa became the 5??th-ever Wildcat to score ???????? goals in a single game. ??
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 5, 2025
>> The forward's performance at MSU notched eight points, becoming the first to accomplish the four-goal feat for NU since Bente Baekers in 2022. pic.twitter.com/dKrTNEbOGY
With 51 saves through her first 17 collegiate starts, redshirt first-year goalkeeper Boon leads the Big Ten and the nation in goals against average (0.48) and save percentage (0.864). She has allowed just eight goals on the year, is second in the country in goalie win-loss percentage (0.938), and has been credited with nine of NU's 11 shutouts.
Three Northwestern starters are in the top 10 in the Big Ten in points per game: Sessa (No. 2 - 3.19 points per game), Ilse Tromp (No. 5 - 1.41), and Grace Schulze (No. 6 - 1.35).
The 2025 captains for Northwestern are Aerin Krys, Greta Hinke and Maddie 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 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.
?????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 5, 2025
For the ??????????-???????????????? season, HC Fuchs, Holland and Byrne earn the accolade recognizing their leadership and success on and off the turf. pic.twitter.com/KBsXWJuLrH
NFHCA Week Nine Ranking: No. 2. The Nov. 4 ranking listed Northwestern as the second-ranked team in the nation for the third 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 on Friday, the Wildcats would advance to the Big Ten Tournament Championship game on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m. CT, also on BTN.
Players Mentioned
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/ Field HockeyField Hockey - Sessa Notches Four Goals in NU Shutout at Michigan State (10/31/25)
Friday, October 31
Field Hockey - ‘Cats Score Season-High Seven Goals, Blank Buckeyes on Senior Day
Sunday, October 26
Field Hockey - ‘Cats Win Big Ten Regular Season Title, Defeat Michigan 3-1
Saturday, October 25
Field Hockey - ‘Cats Persist in 2-1 Victory at No. 10 Terrapins
Sunday, October 19
